Sintering and pressing produce hard parts.
Powders are pressed and sintered (P/M), injection moulded (MIM), hot pressed, or slip cast (ceramics) then fired. Control particle size, binder, density and shrinkage (~15–20%). Gives net-shape parts with minimal machining; ceramic firing needs careful heating to avoid cracks.
Porcelain insulators are slip cast and fired.
Powder and ceramic processes make hard, near-net-shape parts that are difficult to make by machining, so they serve specialised markets.
Sintering and pressing produce hard parts.
Powder and ceramic processes make hard, near-net-shape parts that are difficult to make by machining, so they serve specialised markets.
Making a part close to its final size so that little machining is needed, which saves material and time.
Particles bond and densify during heating, so the part shrinks, and this must be included in the die design.
Typical applications include pressing and sintering a hard metal cutting insert, making a ceramic insulator for a spark plug and producing porous metal filters for a chemical plant.
Study "Plastic and composite manufacturing" first (topic 28 of 102 in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Green strength. Debinding. HIP for full density.
Porcelain insulators are slip cast and fired.
The next topic is "Semiconductor fabrication", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Beginner in Manufacturing, Robotics & Systems (topic 29 of 102). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.
Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.