12/11/2024

HSSE WORLD

Health, Safety, Security and Environment

Powder Metallurgical Processes and Development of Versatile Non-Metal Sintered Products

3 min read

The metalworking processes have been around for many centuries. However, the advanced systems are more affordable and work with almost all metal and non-metal options, including ceramic, to manufacture various tools and components. Their products are more potent, tough, and precise. Compaction and sintering are the standard techniques that prove effective in attaining the desired goals. Modern metalworking systems typically incorporate three main steps to engineer and design different parts. These include blending powdered metal with binders, putting it in a die for compaction, and applying heat below the melting point for sintering. Those aware of these techniques can quickly identify what this manufacturing process is. Can you recognize it?

Metallurgical Processes

These techniques are part of powder metallurgy. These metallurgical processes emphasize the importance of knowing the powder characteristics, which help modify pressing and sintering results. Anything with lower density can be compacted well, producing a firmer body. Such details enable manufacturers to create precision products, regardless of the material choice. Nowadays, ceramics have become extremely popular due to their widespread applications. The two ceramic materials mainly coming into the limelight are alumina and zirconia.

Uses of zirconia

This black or white premium ceramic material can withstand abrasion, temperature, and mechanical conditions and is unreactive to chemicals. Hence, healthcare, electronic appliances, and other industries rely heavily on zirconia components. Ceramic needles, ESD tweezers, high-insulation parts, machinery cutters, tools, and fixtures are available today.

Uses of alumina

Alumina’s thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, abrasion resistance, and non-reaction to chemicals make it a sought-after ceramic material across different industries. It can be used in disc spacers, thermocouple protection tubes, polishing tools, etc.

Read: E-Books: Handbook of Hazardous Chemical Properties

Ceramic component manufacturing processes

Companies specializing in ceramic parts use sintering to compact the powder material, giving it a robust, sustainable, and durable shape. If you have encountered a sintered ceramic product, you must know that it is produced by heating the ceramic powder at a temperature lower than its melting point. Sintering helps close or reduce pores so that high-density products can be obtained while enhancing their mechanical properties. However, the final product’s porosity can vary based on the ceramic powder’s original porosity, temperature, and exposure to sintering. Nevertheless, sintered ceramics can be less porous, more translucent, highly thermally and electrically conductive, and strong.

Sintering also involves different stages. It starts with powder composition, where a semi-liquid mixture of unfired ceramic powder is prepared for drying. After this, a compaction technique, including hot or cold pressing, is applied. This step creates components with high tolerance limits. Lastly, firing or sintering is done by exposing components to a heating environment in a kiln. Sintering can also be done without applying outside pressure. It is more relevant when the component is treated in heat.

Do you want trustworthy, precision ceramic components for your business? Find a reliable ceramic material manufacturer that can offer products based on your specifications. They must follow the industry’s safest manufacturing practices to deliver products with high consistency, durability, strength, and more. You can check various size and shape dimensions, too. If the dealer is credible, you will not need to worry about anything. You can expect a desirable return on your investment.

Read: Metalworking fluids Exposure

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