New Analytical Methods for Ceramics

Particle Size and Morphology as Key Factors in Ceramic Quality Control

Maik Paluga, Chief Commercial Officer Fritsch GmbH

In the ceramics industry, consistent product quality, high reproducibility and cost-effective processes are essential. Throughout the entire value chain, the particle size and shape distributions of raw materials and intermediate products play a decisive role. These factors significantly impact dispersion behaviour and rheology, influence the packing density of the green body, and affect the sintering kinetics. Consequently, they shape the microstructure and functionality of the final sintered product. Against this background, the Fritsch A-22 NeXT provides fast, precise and reproducible particle size distribution across an extremely wide measurement range. Furthermore, the Fritsch A-28 provides additional morphological characterisation of individual particles.

The Plasticity of Ceramic Bodies: The Great Unknown

Johannes Grabs ‎, Test and pilot plant engineer, ECT-KEMA GmbH

This presentation introduces the "PPG Quickplast", a new measuring device designed to determine the plasticity of ceramic materials. It explains the underlying measurement principle and how the device evaluates the plastic behaviour of ceramic masses. It also discusses the available measurement options and data evaluation methods. The presentation also includes test results from practical trials, demonstrating how the system can be used to assess the plasticity of ceramic materials and the benefits of doing so.

The Heating Microscope: A versatile Allrounder for Thermal Analysis

Simon Hesse, Managing Partner, Hesse Instruments GmbH

This presentation provides an overview of the principles and background of heating microscopy, and its relevance for characterising ceramic and glass materials. The main focus is on practical applications that demonstrate the method's analytical capabilities. These include investigations into the sintering behaviour of kaolin, the melting behaviour of glazes and the wetting behaviour of enamels. Other examples address the phase transformation of quartz of different sizes and its potential to reduce production scrap. Additionally, studies on the sintering behaviour of feldspar with varying talc content are presented in relation to reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Other applications include investigating the sintering and softening behaviour of slip to recycle residual or waste slip, studying the bloating behaviour of clay and examining the viscosity behaviour of different glasses. Finally, the potential for optimising firing processes through improved glaze design is explored.