Zirconia ceramics represent the primary application for the compound zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂), accounting for over half of the world’s zirconium demand. Recent reports suggest that the global zirconia market will top 1.5 million tonnes by 2022; meaning global demand of the raw mineral purely for zirconia ceramics manufacturing could top 750,000 tonnes in a few short years. Estimates suggest that this is less than 1% of the world’s total zirconium reserves.Continue reading→

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) is one of the most well-characterised ceramic materials on earth. It occurs naturally in the mineral baddeleyite, which primarily adopts a monoclinic crystalline structure: one of the three primary forms of the material. The most widely-known form of zirconia is the cubic crystal phase which often serves as a cost-effective diamond substitute. However, estimates suggest that demand for zirconia ceramics accounts for as much as 54% of the worldwide zirconium market[1].

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Sintering is arguably the most important step in the ceramics manufacturing process. It is the phase when the green-body is fired at temperatures approaching the ceramic powder’s melting point, causing the consolidated raw material to undergo numerous chemical and physical changes. Several distinct sintering methods exist, but each one essentially exploits the same properties of ceramics to form a densified workpiece with desired properties and material characteristics.Continue reading→

Lithographic additive manufacturing of advanced ceramics is an emergent technology that is unlikely to replace conventional bulk sintering and machining any time soon – if ever. This is due, primarily, to the scale and precision of components manufactured via 3D printing.

Armed with innovative 3D printing technologies, engineers have designed a new generation of microturbines capable of unparalleled operating efficiency at higher speeds and elevated temperatures.

As part of the European Commission funded Horizon 2020 project ToMax, International Syalons in collaboration with European partners has demonstrated the unique capabilities of lithographic-additive manufacturing (L-AMT) of ceramic materials including Syalon 101.

Additive manufacturing (AM) of ceramics, also known as ceramic 3D printing, is an attractive engineering solution for challenging applications. Technical ceramics, like silicon nitride (Si3N4), largely outperform industrial-grade polymers and metals for high-temperature operations, with superior mechanical properties and thermodynamic stability. Yet these same properties make ceramics difficult to use as a feedstock in additive manufacturing processes.

Visit International Syalons and SILCA/Calsitherm at Hannover Messe 1–5 April 2019 at Stand L08, Hall 3, in the Ceramic Applications area.

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Advanced ceramics manufacturing comprises three essential stages: raw powder processing; forming; and sintering. This generally describes the process of consolidating a powder-based feedstock and firing the green body to achieve a fully-densified technical ceramic. Net shapes with comparatively loose dimensional tolerances (~1-3%) can typically be produced ‘as-sintered’; requiring no machining or finishing prior to quality assurance inspections. Components with tight tolerances cannot be produced ‘as-sintered’ and may require diamond grinding to ensure that the net shape is usable according to the design intent.

International Syalons are delighted to announce their British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) membership.

The BCC are a professional organisation who represent the collective interest of all sectors of ceramic manufacturing in Britain by working extremely hard to safeguard the industry’s prosperity and lead sector discussions and negotiations with Government and public authorities.
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