Effect of superheated steam amount and temperature on rapid debinding of alumina molded bodies

In this study, rapid debinding of alumina molded bodies was carried out using superheated steam at 1 kg / h to 5 kg / h. The superheated steam treatment was performed with a temperature increase of 10 °C / min to a holding temperature range of 600 °C to 800 °C. For the alumina molded body, the carbon removal rate increase in the case of debinding treatment with superheated steam amount of 3 kg / h to 5 kg / h compared with 1 kg / h of superheated steam. The molded body resulted in a carbon removal rate of 98.8 % after treated with superheated steam at 800 °C with 5 kg / h. No cracking occurred in alumina molded bodies obtained by debinding in superheated steam. However, cracks occurred in debindied bodies that had been treated in air under similar temperature conditions. No cracking occurred in sintered bodies obtained by debinding in superheated steam and then firing at 1,600 °C in air. However, many large cracks occurred in sintered bodies that had been treated in air or nitrogen under similar temperature conditions. Thus, it was suggested that superheated steam treatment is highly effective for rapid debinding of molded alumina bodies. © 2020 Society of Materials Science Japan. All rights reserved.