Sintering of advanced ceramics using a 30-GHz, 10-kW, CW industrial gyrotron

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1999 · IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.772284· OSTI ID:6309216

Link, G; Feher, L; Boehme, R; Weisenburger, A ^[1]; Thumm, M ^[2]; Ritzhaupt-Kleissl, H J ^[3]

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1. Inst. for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology, Karlsruhe (Germany)
2. Inst. for Technical Physics, Karlsruhe (Germany) Univ. of Karlsruhe (Germany). Inst. of Microwaves and Electronics
3. Inst. for Materials Research III, Karlsruhe (Germany)

At the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe, Germany, a compact gyrotron system was established in 1994 to investigate technological applications in the field of high-temperature materials processing by means of millimeter-wave (mm-wave) radiation. Besides the improvement of the system design, research activities are mainly engaged in studies on debindering and sintering of various types of advanced structural and functional ceramics. Due to volumetric heating and enhanced sintering kinetics, the application of microwaves allows one to shorten the processing rime and therefore reduce energy consumption. Besides these effects, microwave technology gives the unique possibility of influencing the microstructure and physical properties of the ceramic materials. This paper will discuss the benefits of the mm-wave technology with respect to sintering of structural ceramics, such as TiO[sub 2]-ZrO[sub 2]-MgO multicomponent ceramics, nanocrystalline oxide ceramics, and Si[sub 3]N[sub 4], as well as lead-zirconate-titanate piezoceramics as one of the most interesting classes of functional ceramics.

• OSTI ID: 6309216
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 27:2; ISSN 0093-3813
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
MICROWAVE HEATING
SINTERING
AMPLIFIERS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
HEATING
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
320303* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
360201 - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories- Preparation & Fabrication