Setter plates for Ceramic and Metal Injection Moulding
February 26, 2018
Setter plates and fixtures manufactured by CeramTec (Courtesy CeramTec GmbH)
Sintering trays and setter plates help to optimise part arrangement and secure Ceramic Injection Moulded and Metal Injection Moulded parts in the sintering furnace in order to prevent undesirable deformations during sintering.
CeramTec GmbH, Marktredwitz, Germany, produces Al2O3 and AlN setter plates/sintering trays, which the company states feature low surface roughness for optimum gliding of the injection moulded parts when filling the plates, high thermal conductivity to ensure homogeneous thermal distribution within the parts being sintered, excellent shock resistance allowing for faster sintering cycles, and improved energy efficiency in the furnace.
Sintering setter plates made from advanced Al2O3 and AlN ceramics also make the use of releasing agents or protective layers such as coatings obsolete, as there are no contact reactions with metals. Thus, they also have a long lifetime and do not require reconditioning. Both AlN and ultrapure alumina (> 99%) can be used in protective gas atmospheres and reducing atmospheres. They are also stable in reactive atmospheres and in hydrogen.
