University of Leicester in Britain invented a new technology for manufacture of ceramics

Published: 16 May 2009 03:03:04

A new method to abandon the traditional use of 'trial and error' approach to the manufacture of ceramics, but the introduction of a new computer modeling technology manufacturing process.
British researchers in the University of Leicester Engineering Zhe Jing Pan (sound), under the leadership of professor, focused on a manufacturing process of ceramics known as' burning 'the key steps.
Professor Pan said: "ceramics for industrial and construction products, an important component of our modern society is indispensable. However, even in the 'accuracy' of the era of technology, manufacturing of advanced ceramics is still a 'trial and error' process .
"The first is the production of ceramic powder compressed into a solid, then known as' sintering 'process of burning of the powder block. Here, the mutual adhesion of powder heated to the temperature. At this stage, the material is basically a more compact, For example, the overall volume reduction (shrinking), while the density increased. Ceramics are inherently brittle determine the post-production has become very difficult. did not accurately estimate the ultimate size of ceramic parts, resulting in material waste of time and money. "
Professor Pan's technology to help reduce errors in the process of sintering. He said: "The change in size through the forecast is challenging, there is the question of the need for a wide range of information materials. To obtain the necessary physical data have been very difficult and expensive.
"Our approach is to use computer software in different ceramic sintering process using a simple density measurements can predict the size of change, even at the beginning of production.
"This method does not rely on any of the physical properties of ceramic materials - it is only the use of the material from a small sample can be inferred from the density data, for example, it can be applied to mass production. It can be seen that for a wide range of ceramic . "
In the past 10 years Professor Pan has been investigating this process, added that the ceramics industry has been aware of the computer and mathematical models of the enormous potential, and more from the historical data to forecast the benefit transfer method. However, in this way a day before in the industrial application of a number of challenges to overcome.
For example, the system will need to convert into a more 'user friendly' format for industrial use. In addition, the technology will be in a range of industrial products to verify.
Since the invention of this technology, this is the first time shows that the real revolutionary ceramic industry the potential of Professor Pan and his team continue to explore the performance of various ceramic materials. They are currently investigating multi-layer ceramic (commonly used in fuel cells) performance and industry (ceramic) coating.