Silicon Nitride Ceramics in Key Molten Metals Safety Topics

Foundry operations are inherently dangerous. The production of metal castings is associated with numerous health hazards, including exposure to chemicals, gases, heat, and non-ionizing radiation. It is not uncommon for iron and steel workers to be chronically exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respirable silica, or carbon monoxide (CO). Beyond exposure issues, there are also concerns surrounding molten metal/water explosions and catastrophic component failure due to corrosion, thermal strain, or wear.

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Using Advanced Ceramics for Sustainable Innovations—An Applications Insight

Advanced ceramic materials continue to push engineering frontiers, and while there may be an open question about the true sustainability of technical materials from alumina (Al2O3) to zirconia (ZrO), there is no doubt about their impact on clean technology. We have spent the last few articles discussing the impact of advanced ceramic manufacturing on our environment, and their long-term viability in terms of pollution. In this article, we will explore the many exciting successes of sustainable advanced ceramic innovations and applications.

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Are Ceramic Manufacturing Processes Environmentally Friendly? An Insight into Production

Advanced ceramic manufacturing is a complex multi-step process centring on the consolidation and sintering of raw mineralogical feedstocks. Regardless of the type of ceramic (oxide or non-oxide), or the complexity, shape, size, and structure of the finished part, it is this densification stage of production that unlocks the outstanding thermomechanical properties of technical ceramic materials. It is also, by far, the most energy-intensive link in the advanced ceramics manufacturing chain.

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Are Technical Ceramics a Sustainable Solution? An Insight into Properties

Technical ceramics have become a mainstay among advanced engineering materials, replacing heavy duty metallic alloys and even refractories in many challenging applications and industries. This stems from their good all-round thermomechanical properties, but can also be attributed to incremental improvements in designing with ceramics and ceramic manufacturing. So, what impact does this shift towards specialist, high-performance material solutions have on corporate and social responsibilities, and sustainability initiatives?Continue reading

How Eco-Friendly are Ceramic Materials? An Insight into Pollution

Ceramics have been utilised by mankind for millennia, mainly due to the abundance of raw materials and the relative ease with which basic pottery can be manufactured. Industrial production is of course more complicated than simple green kiln firing, but even advanced ceramics like aluminium oxide (Al2O3), boron nitride (BN), and zirconia (ZrO2) are derived from source materials that are relatively plentiful on earth. This is often used as an argument in favour of the eco-friendly credentials of technical ceramic materials.Continue reading

Continuous Steel Casting with Syalon Break Rings

Engineering ceramics occupy the cutting edge of industrial applications. They are deployed where conventional materials are prone to failure, or to refine equipment for greater throughput and profitability. Their incredibly favourable thermomechanical properties have made them a mainstay in metalworks and steel foundries for decades, where they generally offer long-lasting performance over multiple cycles—even when in direct contact with molten metals.

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Silicon Nitride: The Future of Sensing in Harsh Environments?

Data acquisition and signal transmission within harsh environments is an ever-present pain point for manufacturers across the full spectrum of engineering. Sensors must increasingly contend with extreme mechanical and thermal stressors, which can easily result in reduced performance and even failure in the wrong conditions. The only solution is to build sensing platforms with the right material properties for the application. High-temperature applications require may require ceramic materials owing to their enhanced thermal shock resistance and/or thermal expansion properties, for example.

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