Application
Sintering
Consolidating Powder Materials and Ceramics into Solid Components
Sintering is the thermal consolidation of powders or porous green bodies below the melting point. Through diffusion and rearrangement processes at grain boundaries, a dense, mechanically loadable component is produced, without a liquid phase and with precise dimensional accuracy.
The process is the foundation of powder metallurgy (PM), technical ceramics and additive manufacturing (sintering after 3D printing). NTH Therm supplies high-temperature furnaces with the necessary atmosphere control and temperature uniformity for reproducible sintering quality.
Process Parameters at a Glance
| Parameter | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 600–1300 °C (material dependent) |
| Holding time | 30 min – 8 h |
| Atmosphere | N₂, H₂, N₂/H₂ mixtures, argon, vacuum |
| Heating rate | 1–10 K/min (material dependent) |
Typical Materials and Applications
- Iron-based PM parts: gears, bearings, structural parts (mechanical engineering, automotive)
- Cemented carbides: cutting inserts, drills, wear parts (WC-Co, WC-TiC-Co)
- Technical ceramics: Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, Si₃N₄ for electronics, medical and energy technology
- Magnetic materials: ferrites, rare-earth magnets
- Sintered filters and porous structures
Recommended NTH Therm Furnace Systems
- Chamber Furnace ICF: to 1300 °C, atmosphere-capable, for production and laboratory charges
- Tube Furnace TH1: excellent atmosphere control, ideal for research and small batches
- Conveyor Furnace: for continuous sintering in series production
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between atmosphere sintering and vacuum sintering?
Atmosphere sintering uses a protective gas (N₂, H₂, Ar or mixtures) to prevent oxidation and/or achieve a reducing effect. Vacuum sintering provides the highest atmosphere purity, particularly important for cemented carbides, sintered corundum and high-grade technical ceramics.
What temperatures are typical for sintering metal powders and ceramics?
Iron-based PM parts are typically sintered at 1050–1150 °C. Cemented carbides (WC-Co) require 1350–1450 °C. Technical ceramics such as Al₂O₃ or ZrO₂ are sintered at 1400–1700 °C. NTH Therm furnaces cover the range up to 1300 °C.
Can NTH Therm furnaces be configured for continuous sintering?
Yes, for series production we recommend conveyor furnaces with controlled atmosphere zones. For research and small batches, our chamber furnaces ICF and tube furnaces TH1 are the ideal choice.