Analysis of Ceramic Molded Products by Thermal Analysis

User Benefits

- The decomposition temperature of debinders which are necessary in ceramic production processes can be measured by using the DTG-60. - Qualitative analysis of the gases evolved in ceramic production processes is possible by using the DTG-FTIR system. - The production efficiency of ceramic production processes can be improved by utilizing thermal analysis data.

Introduction

Ceramics are one of the three major types of materials, together with metals and organic materials, and are widely used as materials for industrial products. Ceramics are made using inorganic solid powders, which are artificial materials, and are utilized in various fields such as electronic components and insulating materials. Ceramic products are manufactured through a series of processes that includes mixing materials such as alumina, zirconia, and silicon nitride and an organic binder, then, degreasing (debinding), and sintering. In the degreasing process, the compacted powder is heated to remove the binder, but this step takes time, which is a problem from the viewpoint of high energy consumption. Since suppressing energy consumption has a large impact on cost reduction and reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) generation, shortening the time required in the degreasing process (= improvement of production efficiency) is demanded. However, individual differences between operators and the difficulty of optimization are issues because the temperature patterns used in the degreasing process are decided based mainly on experience and intuition. This Application News article introduces the thermal analysis data obtained with the Shimadzu DTG-60 Simultaneous Thermogravimetric and Differential Thermal Analyzer and TMA- 60 Thermomechanical Analyzer, as well as the DTG-FTIR evolved gas analysis system, which can be used to improve production efficiency in the manufacture of ceramic products.

January 23, 2024 GMT