Optimization of the debinding process

Tom_pyr system used for debinding
© Fraunhofer-Center HTL
For debinding used TOM_pyr system
Measurement of debinding in a TOM-system (ThermoOptical measuring device)
© Fraunhofer-Center HTL
Measurement of debinding in a TOM-system
The animation shows the debinding burn out in an axially symmetric sample
© Fraunhofer-Center HTL
Animation: Debinding burn out in an axially symmetric sample - please click to play

The debinding of green bodies is measured in situ with the ThermoOptical measurement systems (TOM) as well as with the thermal analysis method at the Fraunhofer-Center HTL and subsequently optimized. The optimization is undertaken for all types of green bodies regardless of the component size and geometry, the inorganic components (metals or ceramics) and the type of organic binder and/or the binder content. Thus, for example, debinding processes for the in general somewhat difficult debinding of green bodies from an injection molding process can be developed.

The result of debinding is influenced by the furnace atmosphere. While debinding in air or other furnace atmospheres containing oxygen, the combustion of organic additives dominates, pyrolysis processes are relevant for debinding in inert or reducing atmospheres. The latter processes frequently occur with debinding in air in the interiors of green bodies, because oxygen only reaches this area when the binder burn out has been completed on the peripheral layers.

There are adequate in-situ measurement stations available at the HTL center for all relevant furnace atmospheres. Inert gases, oxidizing or reducing gases – as well as 100% hydrogen – can be used as furnace atmospheres. Even the furnace atmosphere in gas-fired furnaces can be exactly simulated. The calibration of the furnace atmospheres between the manufacturing furnace and the corresponding ThermoOptical measurement system is vital, because the debinding conditions optimized using the TOM system can be transferred to the manufacturing furnace.

By measuring the test body weight, the debinding rate can be measured with a very high level of reproducibility[1]. The reproducibility is 0.1%. This enables the development of a meaningful database for the calculation of the debinding kinetics. For this purpose, several debindings are performed at the HTL using differing temperature-time cycles on the same green body samples. A robust numerical process calculates a kinetic model from the measured data, facilitating the prediction of the debinding rate for any random temperature-time cycle within the scope of the measured range[2]. With this kinetic model, simple optimization of the debinding cycle is already possible. Thus, temperature-time cycles can be calculated where the debinding rate is almost constant. This leads to lower stresses on the components than temperature-time cycles with constant heating rates[3]. The maximum still safe debinding rate is then determined by experimentation with the corresponding calculated temperature-time cycles. For this purpose, the debindings are undertaken on larger samples or smaller components in the TOM system, and during sintering, the damages to the samples are registered in-situ. Measurements of acoustic and gas emissions are used primarily at the HTL for registering the damage, as they can sensitively register slight damage.

Further in-situ measurements are necessary for more precise testing, e.g. for upscaling to other component geometries and for consideration of effects in industrial furnaces. Therefore, the endo-/exothermic effects with pyrolysis or binder burn out must be quantified, which is performed at the HTL using dynamic differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in controlled atmospheres. The thermal conductivity of the green bodies is determined during debinding using a Laser-Flash method. Furthermore, the permeability of gases is measured through the pores of the green body. Together with the kinetic model, the measured data is used in a coupled finite element (FE) model, which has been developed at the HTL to optimize the debinding process. The model determines the temperature distribution in the green body during debinding for each time step, considering the reaction heat. From the local temperature and locally available oxygen, the kinetic model calculates the local debinding rate. The resulting gas phase reactions lead to concentration and pressure gradients, which are dissipated in the pores by diffusion and flow processes. These processes are also FE simulated. Finally, the mechanical stresses for the respective time step resulting from temperature differences and the gas over-pressures are calculated. The simulation is then repeated for the subsequent time step until debinding has been completed. The debinding conditions are adjusted with the FE model to minimize the mechanical stresses on the green body. This facilitates selective optimization of the debinding conditions for the individual components. Debinding cycles can be drastically reduced in comparison to empirically optimized cycles.

The implementation in manufacturing furnaces can raise more questions. The temperatures of the green bodies can vary significantly from the furnace temperatures, necessitating corrections to the placement scheme or in the optimized temperature-time cycle. The debinding is also influenced by the flow conditions in the furnace. For the adaption, at HTL, measurement methods and FE models for manufacturing furnaces are available. A further problem is presented by pyrolysis gases, which collect in the manufacturing furnace and – in furnace atmospheres containing oxygen – may combust. In inert or reducing atmospheres, these pyrolysis gases can be precipitated at colder locations in the furnace, which can lead to quality problems in continuous furnaces, when deposited on other – colder – green bodies. Also the carbon formed during debinding can lead to problems in the subsequent sintering stage or can impact the product properties. Special detection methods and debinding conditions available at HTL are helpful in this respect.
At HTL, the suitability of binders for the respective product can be examined and optimized. Many binders become liquid during heating, before the pyrolysis or combustion starts. The liquid binder can then – depending on the wetting properties of the ceramic – redistribute in the pores, which is not beneficial for the homogeneity of the green bodies. The melting behavior of the binder and the wetting behavior to form a ceramic are measured at HTL with TOM systems in a controlled atmosphere. Suitable binders are selected in screenings.

[1] Raether, F. (Hrsg.): Energieeffizienz bei der Keramikherstellung, ISBN 978-3-8163-0644-3, VDMA-Verlag, Frankfurt, 2013.
[2] Raether, F.: The kinetic field - a versatile tool for prediction and analysis of heating processes, High Temperatures-High Pressures, 42.4 (2013), pp. 303-319
[3] Raether, F.; Klimera, A., Herrmann, M., Clasen, R. (Hrsg.):Methods of measurement and strategies for binder removal in ceramics. Special edition of Ceramic Forum international: Thermal process engineering in the ceramics industry, Göller Verlag, Baden Baden, 2008, pp. 5-11

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Marina Stepanyan

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Marina Stepanyan

Fraunhofer-Center for High Temperature Materials and Design
Gottlieb-Keim-Str. 62
95448 Bayreuth, Germany

Phone +49 921 78510-310

Fax +49 921 78510-001

Heiko Ziebold

Contact Press / Media

Heiko Ziebold

Fraunhofer-Center for High Temperature Materials and Design
Gottlieb-Keim-Str. 62
95448 Bayreuth, Germany

Phone +49 921 78510-393

Fax +49 921 78510-001