Scientists from Perm Polytechnic University have developed a two-stage ceramic production technology that allows for regulating the strength of products. The development is especially important for aircraft manufacturing and energy, where ceramic molds are used for casting gas turbine engine blades. Such molds must simultaneously withstand extreme loads and be easily removed after metal pouring.
The main difference between the new technology and traditional methods is the division of the process into two stages. First, a blank is made from ceramic powder and binder, and then it is additionally impregnated with special compounds. This allows for creating parts with different strengths – for example, hard on the outside and porous on the inside. Tests have shown that vacuum impregnation increases the strength of samples by more than 10 times.
The technology also solves the problem of defective alpha-layer formation during titanium alloy casting. Ceramic molds processed by the new method reduce the depth of this layer by 61 percent, and in some cases eliminate it completely. This reduces the time and cost of subsequent part processing.
In addition, the method is applicable to other ceramic products – for example, gas sensors. After applying an additional layer, their sensitivity to methane increased by more than three times. The versatility of the development allows it to be used in instrument engineering, electronics, and mechanical engineering.
