Sintering of Metallic Powders on Ceramic Substrates

The introduction of metallic powders in traditional porcelain stoneware bodies, makes the well known ceramic system a new complex composite material which thermal behaviour during fast firing processes and final mechanical properties should be taken under control. Innovative porcelain stoneware tiles with a surface layer containing stainless steel particles, are currently produced by the Double Charge Technology and considering this layer as a composite material it appear evident the importance of mechanical investigations such as Young modulus, fracture toughness and flexural strength. In particular, the study of the sintering behaviour has been pointed out in order to clarify the role of the metal-ceramic interface and to investigate, with a contactless technology, effects of the oxidizing atmosphere of ceramic roller kilns on metal particles. The use of the Vertical Dilatometer MISURA ® ODHT enable a careful simulation of industrial firing cycles and represents therefore the ideal equipment for advanced experimental high temperature analysis.