Finite-element simulation of the die pressing and sintering of a ceramic component

The industrial production of ceramic components via the powder route often leads to severe shape distortions of the sintered parts caused by friction effects during pressing. Computation of the geometry of the part after sintering helps the manufacturer to reduce these by modifying the pressing tools, thus avoiding expensive hard machining of each part. In the present paper, the results of a finite-element analysis of the process steps uniaxial dry pressing of a cylinder and sintering after green machining are reported. High density gradients after pressing are calculated near the die wall. The sintering simulation predicts a severe deformation of the dense cylinder and reveals the beneficial effect of removing regions of non-uniform density by green machining. The final shapes of simulated and sintered geometries are in good agreement. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.