Résumé
The experimental density dependence of gas (argon and nitrogen) permeability
of partially densified silica aerogels in the Knudsen regime is quantitatively
accounted for by a computer model. The model simulates both the structure of
the sintered material and the random ballistic motion of a point particle
inside its voids. The same model is also able to account for the densit y
dependence of the specific pore surface as measured from nitrogen adsorption
experiments.