STEP 1: The Forming Process
There are several basic forming methods.
Here are a few:
Isostatic Pressing is the use
of force pressures of equal proportion from all directions. This can
be achieved with fluid or by dry pressing. Isopressing is commonly
used to form complex ID configurations by compressing powder around
a pin.
Extrusion is done in the same
manner that most materials are extruded, by forcing material through
a die. This is a standard process for tubes, rods and bar stock
material.
Injection
Molding of ceramics is also similar to the processes used
for other materials. Injection molding is used mainly for very
intricate or high volume components. The cost for injection mold
tooling is expensive but when amortized across high volumes it can
mean a lower per part cost.
Mechanical Pressing utilizes
steel or carbide tooling that creates a "net or near net"
shape. By filling the tool with powder and applying uni-axial
pressures to compress the powder.
The above forming methods can also be used to make
"blanks" for further processing.
This leads to the next step "Green
Machining"
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