MATERIALS SCIENCE

WEEK12
Ceramic materials
+Sintering explain more

Last Updated:November 28, 2020 © LMS SEGi education group 1

 Chapter Overview

 In this chapter, students will be introduced to examine

more closely the synthesis, processing and applications of
ceramic materials. Ceramics have been used for many
thousands of years. Most ceramics exhibit good strength
under compression; however they exhibit virtually no
ductility under tension.

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 Learning Objectives

Objectives should be developed :

 Introduce more closely the synthesis, processing and
applications of ceramic materials.
 Summarizes the classification of ceramics.
 Outline the application of ceramics.

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 Learning Outcomes

On completion, students must be able to

 classify ceramics,
 explain the various applications of ceramic materials.

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 Introduction

 Ceramics are inorganic and nonmetallic.

 Bounded by ionic or covalent bonds.
 Good electrical and heat insulation property.
 Brittle, and lesser ductility and toughness than metals.
 High chemical stability and high melting temperature.
 Traditional Ceramics: Basic components (Clay and Silica).
 Engineering Ceramics: Pure compounds (Al2O3, SiC).

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 Properties of ceramics

 The tensile strength and flexural strength values show considerable

variation since the strength of ceramics is dependent on the distribution
of flaw sizes and not affected by dislocation motion.
 Under smaller strain rates and at high temperatures, many ceramics with
a very fine grain indeed show super plastic behavior.

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 Synthesis and processing of ceramic powders

 A powder is a collection of fine particles.

 Ceramic powder produced by compacting powder or
particles into shapes and heated to bond particles together.
 Material preparation: Particles and binders and lubricants are
(sometimes ground) and blend wet or dry.
 Forming: Formed in dry, plastic or liquid conditions.

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 Synthesis and processing of ceramic powders

 Cold forming process is predominant.

 Different techniques such as compaction, tape casting,
extrusion and slip casting are used to convert properly
processed powders into a desired shape to form green
ceramic.
 A green ceramic is a ceramic that has not yet been sintered.
 The steps of converting a ceramic powder into a useful shape
are known as powder processing.

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 Steps encountered in the processing of ceramics

Source: Askeland,
Phule, 2006. p.538

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 Methods: Compaction and sintering

 One of the most cost-effective ways to produce thousands of

relatively small pieces (<15cm) of simple shapes is
compaction and sintering.
 Many electronic and magnetic ceramics, WC-Co (cermets)
cutting tool bits, and other materials are processed using this
technique.
 The driving force for sintering is the reduction in the surface
area of a powder.
 Fine powders can be spray dried, forming soft agglomerates
that flow and compact well.

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 Different techniques for processing of
advanced ceramics

Source: Askeland,
Phule, 2006. p.539
Last Updated:November 28, 2020 © LMS SEGi education group 11
 Important Step in Processing Ceramic:
Pressing
Uniaxial /Die Pressing
• Die pressing is the powder
compaction method involving
uniaxial pressure applied to the
powder placed in a die between
two rigid punches.
Disadvantages: Confined to
relatively simple shapes
Advantages: High production rate
and cost effective.

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 Important Step in Processing Ceramic:
Pressing
Isostatic Pressing
• Isostatic pressing is the powder
compaction method involving
applying pressure from multiple
directions through a liquid or
gaseous medium surrounding the
compacted part.
• TYPES: Cold isotactic pressing (CIP) &
Hot isotactic pressing (HIP)
Disadvantages: Time consuming and
expensive.
Advantages: Can produce more
complicated shapes.

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 Important Step in Processing Ceramic:
Pressing
Cold isostatic pressing (CIP) is conducted at room temperature.
-A flexible (commonly polyurethane) mold immersed in a pressurized liquid medium
(commonly water) is used in the cold isostatic pressing method .

There are two types of cold isostatic pressing: wet bag and dry bag.

1. In the wet bag method the mold is removed and refilled after each pressure cycle.
This method is suitable for compaction of large and complicated parts.
2. In the dry bag method the mold is an integral part of the vessel. The dry bag
method is used for compaction of simpler and smaller parts.

• Advantages as compared to the die cold pressing method:

i. better uniformity of compaction;
ii. more complex forms (for example long thin-walled tubes) may be compacted;

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 Important Step in Processing Ceramic:
Pressing
Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) 
-Involves isostatic pressing conducted at increased temperature.
• As a pressure medium a gas (Nitrogen or Argon) is used.
• The work pressures, which are applied in the hot isostatic pressing method, are
commonly between 100 MPa to 300 MPa.
• Hot isostatic method (HIP) combines pressing and sintering, causing
consolidation of powder particles, healing voids and pores. The part shrinks and
densifies, forming sound high strength structure.
• Ex) Cans made of stainless steel, or mild steel are used in the method.
• The method may be used without a mold. In this case the part is first compacted by
cold isostatic pressing method, and then it is sintered in order to close the
interconnecting porosity. The sintered (but still porous) part is then pressed
isostatically at high temperature without any can (mold). 

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 References

 Smith, W.F., Hashemi, J., 2006. Foundations of Materials

Science and Engineering. 4th ed. Singapore : McGraw-Hill.
 Askeland, D.R., Phule, P.P., 2006. The Science and Engineering
of Materials. Canada: Thomson.
 Callister, W.D., 2007. Materials Science and Engineering : An
Introduction . 7th ed. Asia: Wiley.

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