After almost a quarter-century of research and development at NCSU, the process optimization method for densification of ceramics now known as Rate Controlled Sintering (RCS) has more-or-less ‘come of age’. For a wide range of ceramic materials, it has been found to provide an efficient and effective means for determining near-optimum (though typically non-linear) temperature-time pathways for densification. In doing so, it appears to beneficially influence and regulate the ‘path of morphological change,’ thereby facilitating refinement and control of final sintered micro­structures. More recently, it has also been found useful for the sintering of a special class of high-porosity metal compacts (e.g., those that have been formed by injection molding).

H. Palmour

Papers

Calcination, Milling And Pressing of Sinterable YBa2Cu3O7-σ Powders from Mixed Oxides and Carbonates

Sintering and Microstructure Development in Superconducting YBa2Cu3O7-σ