Alpha Ceramics, a Sacmi Group company and the leading designer of kiln accessories and infeed/outfeed devices for the firing of advanced ceramics and other special pieces, presents a major innovation for the firing process of electronic components. Successfully tested by a major customer in the industry, this solution uses a special magnesium oxide sinter aid – gives dual advantage of better sintered component quality and extend the lifespan of the used kiln furniture setters.
The starting point for the Aachen-based firm, already a member of Sacmi TEAM (the Sacmi corporate Division that brings together the best special ceramic manufacturing and treatment skills), was the need to minimise chemical interaction between product and setter during electronic component firing. Above all, this latest application – the 100% magnesium oxide sinter aid – offers effective treatment during the sintering process due to the outstanding refractory properties of the compound.
Satisfactory production tests, performed at the customer's factory, have, moreover, highlighted further important advantages of treating the sintering aid that is typically used as kiln furniture for such components. More specifically, the setter plates have demonstrated extraordinary insulating properties at temperatures as high as 1500 °C). The special design of the surface allows also a homogeneous de-binding (elimination of the polymeric binder) of the organic material inside the thermal threated product throughout the firing cycle.
Alongside the improvements in the quality of the sintered components (because there is no interaction between kiln furniture and component anymore), the company was also extremely satisfied to observe that using these Mgo setters also extend the working life of the actual kiln furniture itself, allowing companies in the industry who choose Alpha Ceramics accessories to sharpen their competitiveness even further.
[Photo shows shaped setters, diameter 76 mm, out of 100% magnesium oxide]