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Mysterious high temperature pressing: Why is hot pressing the first choice for manufacturing hard materials?
In today's materials science, hot pressing technology has become an important means of manufacturing hard materials. This high-pressure, low-strain rate powder metallurgy process forms powder or powder compacts into high-density materials by applying heat and pressure simultaneously. This article will take an in-depth look at the process of hot pressing and its importance in making hard materials, and explore how it plays a key role in different applications.
Basics of hot pressing technology
The core of hot pressing lies in its ability to densify loose powders or pre-pressed parts through particle reorganization and plastic flow at temperatures up to 2400°C. The main uses of this process include the manufacture of cutting tools and ceramic materials, especially diamond-metal composites.
The success of hot pressing technology relies on precise control of pressure and heat, which is particularly important when manufacturing high-performance materials.
Different heating technologies
In hot pressing technology, there are three main heating methods, namely induction heating, indirect resistance heating and field-assisted sintering technology (FAST).
Induction heating
Induction heating is a process that applies high-frequency electromagnetic fields to the mold to generate heat inside it. The advantage of this process is that the pressure and induction power can be controlled completely independently, even powders containing a liquid phase are suitable for this process.
However, the main challenge with induction heating is the risk of uneven heat distribution in the mold, which often depends on the mold's thermal conductivity and accuracy of alignment.
Indirect resistance heating
Relative to induction heating, the process of indirect resistance heating involves placing the mold in a heating cavity heated by a graphite heating element. The advantage of this technology is that it does not depend on the conductivity of the mold, but the disadvantage is that the heating time is longer.
Field Assisted Sintering Technology (FAST)
Field-assisted sintering technology is a method that uses electric current to sinter directly through the mold. This method enables heating at very high speeds and significantly increases sintering activity.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in research into pulse sintering using DC or AC, which creates higher density and strength in a short time.
Application of hot pressing
Hot pressing is not only finding applications in the leisure sector, such as brake pads for motorcycles and mountain bikes, but also in the production of high-performance ceramic components, which are widely used in electronic technology and industrial equipment. With the advancement of science and technology, hot pressing technology plays an increasing role in the manufacturing of various materials.
For example, new thermal conduits currently using metal powders are performing well in LED and laser applications. The use of hot pressing has long been common in the process of manufacturing diamond-metal composite materials, and has become a powerful tool to improve the performance of various tools.
The future of research and development
With the development of materials science, hot pressing technology is also constantly improving. Some recent studies have shown that sintering efficiency and material properties can be further improved by optimizing mold design and heating technology. These continued innovations ensure that hot pressing will remain vital in many applications in the future.
These technological advances not only help reduce energy consumption, but also save time during the materials development process. Therefore, hot pressing has the potential to lead the future manufacturing industry towards a more efficient and environmentally friendly direction.
Conclusion
In summary, hot pressing, as a mainstream technology for manufacturing hard materials, has its unique advantages in its efficient energy utilization and excellent material properties. This not only applies to industries that require high-strength materials, but also paves the way for future new material development. In such an era of rapid technological advancement, what new breakthroughs and possibilities will the future hot pressing technology bring?
