Sintering

During powder press processes for the formation of ceramics, heat and pressure are used to densify and bind ceramics together as illustrated in the figure below in a process called sintering. Unlike melting, during sintering, materials are not liquefied, but instead, rely on reducing surface area effects between particles to drive the process. Ceramic materials usually have a very high melting temperature, so sintering (which is done at temperatures well below bulk melting temperatures) offers significant savings in terms of energy.

During powder press processes, heat and pressure are used to densify and bind ceramics together.

Credit: Callister & Rethwisch 5e

Now, please go to the third reading (3 of 3) of this lesson and read about how plastics are fabricated.