New ceramic processes and their mechanical characterization

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Olivier Guillon
• Subject Area: Glass, Ceramics and Derived Composites ; Metallurgical, Thermal and Thermomechanical Treatment of Materials
• Term: from 2006 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 27296763

Current trends in ceramics processing tend to smaller length scales for particle size and component dimensions. This should lead to higher miniaturization and integration in electronic ceramic devices, as well as better properties for nanostructured materials. However, several problems have to be solved to achieve such objectives. First of all, the drying of thin films produced by colloidal processing is of concern, because cracks initiate during this step, and propagate further during sintering. Mechanical strength of these green layers will also be characterized. Another point is a better understanding of a recent unconventional sintering technique (FAST) which greatly promotes the densification of materials that are generally difficult to sinter. The effect of the applied electric field will be considered and the mechanical properties evaluated according to grain size. Finally, an innovative sintering method will be developed, based on the fact that the melting point of particles decreases dramatically in the nanometer range.In order to rationalize and give a realistic repartition of the tasks in the future Emmy Noether Group, we present here three distinctive parts, each of them following the DFG guidelines for proposals 1.02 (state of the art, preliminary work, goals and work schedule). Part I. Drying and mechanical properties of ceramic thin films. Thin ceramic layers deposited on the surface of another material are widely used for their electrical properties (dielectric, piezoelectric/magnetic), optical characteristics (refractive index for pigments), or as diffusion barriers, thermal barrier coatings or hardness coatings due to their high scratch and wear resistance. Part II. Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured materials by means of FAST sintering. The aim of this project is a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the SPS process, the manufacturing of nanostructured materials and their microstructural and mechanical characterization. Part III. Melting of ceramic nanoparticles Application to Transient Liquid Phase Sintering.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Michael J. Hoffmann