Modified Sinter Unit (MSU) for sintering of metal and ceramic powder compacts

Idea, function, manufacturing, and applications of Modified Sinter Units (MSU) are explained. MSU's are dedicated to improve tolerances and accuracy of geometry of metal and ceramic powder based sinter products, if accompanied by a linear shrinkage of about 5 to 25 % and/or by specific chemical reactions of powder material with the support needed for thermal treatment. Commonly observed failure of products during sintering are caused by a co-action of friction, gravity, material properties, powder properties, and construction design. As the MSU is an appliance for production of technical products only, it has to be very cost reasonable. That's why paper technique is most favored for manufacturing of multilayered MSU as described. The sinter active layer in the middle has usually a thickness between 100 to 500 µm, subsequently the consumption of powder is low and this can be recycled as well.