Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development
Technologies for the development of monolithic ceramics
The development of technologies concerning monolithic materials, requires the study and the optimization of each production step. The strict collaboration with the industries, mainly through joint projects, leads to perform applied research activities aimed at technology transfer. The technologies are studied and optimized for different materials in the available equipment and pilot plant, up to the production of prototypes and small series.
Powder preparation and treatment
synthesis, milling, mixing, granulation (spray dry, freeze dry)
Turbula mixer with three-dimensional movement for mixing and grinding powders
Spray drier
Forming
- axial and isostatic press (Pmax 300 MPa, chamber dimension: Φ 255 x h 610 mm);
- slip-casting:
- additive Manufacturing technologies
Axial press
Isostatic press
Machining
- CAD-CAM machining of ceramics before and after sintering and conventional materials;
- surface finishing: tangential grinding for internal and external surface.
Tangential grinding machine with icing plate
Machining of ceramic component before sintering
Triaxis CNC milling machine
Thermal treatments
dewaxing and sintering:
- atmospheric pressure (air, inert gas);
- vacuum and high vacuum;
- high pressure (inert gas hot pressing).
Furnace up to 2200°C (pilot plant)
High vacuum furnace (up to 10-5 mbar and 1800°C)
Hot uniaxial press (up to 2200°C and 20 ton)