Abstract:
The materials to be sintered are placed in a deformable container which is in turn placed within a non-deformable treatment module equipped with heating means. The temperature of the container is increased under constant pressure until commencement of sintering. The temperature and pressure of the materials are increased simultaneously until sintering conditions are achieved, then maintained at a level stage for a predetermined period of time. The pressure is then reduced to the normal value while maintaining the temperature. The temperature is finally reduced to the room-temperature value.
Abstract:
A press for compacting powders in which a first plunger is moved into a stationary die to meter and charge powder to be compacted into the die from one end of the die, a second plunger is advanced towards the first plunger to compact the powder within the die and the first plunger is then used to push the compacted powder from the other end of the die.The press may be used to make pellets of ceramic nuclear fuel material.
Abstract:
An improved hot press apparatus for compacting oxide ceramic powders including an electrolyte die member of a solid material conductive of oxygen ions with negligible electronic conductivity, a pair of porous electrodes applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the electrolyte die member, and a resistance heater for bringing the die member to hot press temperature is disclosed. Application of a potential to the electrodes develops a voltage across the electrolyte die member whereby oxygen molecules at the outer surface are adsorbed into the electrolyte die member, pass therethrough as oxygen ions, and are desorbed at the inner surface thereof to provide an oxygen atmosphere in the area where pressure is being applied to the oxide ceramic powder. By varying the potential applied to the electrodes the oxygen partial pressure in the die can be controlled to produce sintered oxide ceramics having improved electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties.