Debinding and sintering of ceramics. Optimisation through thermoanalytical simulation

The potential of selected thermoanalytical methods (dilatometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, evolved gas analysis) for material and technological characterisation and especially for optimising thermal processing steps during the production of powder metallurgical and ceramic products, is discussed. Using selected examples, the typical applications (debinding, degassing and sintering) are introduced: decomposition of a metal-organic composition, degassing and sintering of hard metals, degassing problems in thick layer technology, up-scaling during degassing/firing of building ceramics.