It has been used as stiff lightweight structural material, specifically for support of reflecting telescope mirrors.
This method is widely used because it is effective with any ceramic able to be suspended; however, large amounts of gaseous byproducts are released and cracking due to differences in thermal expansion coefficients is common.
This is difficult because wet foams are thermodynamically unstable and can end up with very large pores after setting.
[1] This technique involves heating crystals with the metal and forming compounds until a solution is created.
As the mixture begins to boil, air bubbles are trapped in solution and locked in to place as the material is heated and polymer is burned off.
Their high strength and hardness also allows them to be used as structural materials for low stress applications.
With easily controlled porosities and microstructures, ceramic foams have seen growing use in evolving electronics applications.
These applications include electrodes, and scaffolds for solid oxide fuel cells and batteries.
Ceramic foams have been proposed as a means of pollutant control, particularly for particulate matter from engines.
[6][10] Due to the foam’s unique pore structure and large specific surface area, it sees a use as a filter for wastewater.
[6] Close-cell ceramic foam serves as a good insulation material for walls and roofs.
The large number of closed cells allow the material to be resistant to corrosion and absorb sound internally and externally.
The sound waves vibrate in the pores of the foam and transform the energy into heat through friction and air resistance, thus reducing echos in the environment.