But whether it’s solutions for aerospace, e-mobility or medical technology, the demands on individual components are constantly increasing. They have to withstand extreme loads, be lightweight and offer the highest precision.And this is precisely where sintering comes into play. This manufacturing process transforms fine powders into robust, durable components – without any melting at all. This is precisely our domain: because graphite plays a crucial role in this process.
Sintering – from powder to high-performance component
In the sintering process, the finest metal or ceramic particles are molded under pressure and then heated in a furnace – at extreme temperatures of up to 2,500°C. The particles fuse at the molecular level without the material melting completely. The result is components that are harder, more resilient and more precise than many conventionally manufactured workpieces.
Um eine Vorstellung von den Temperaturen zu bekommen: Wenn ein Meteorit auf die Erde trifft, entsteht durch die enorme Reibung eine Hitze von weit über 2.500 °C, die Gestein schmelzen oder sogar verdampfen lassen kann. Auch in der heißen Tiefe eines Vulkans kann das Magma in einer Kammer Temperaturen erreichen, die in den Bereich eines Sinterofens fallen. Diese beeindruckenden Naturphänomene verdeutlichen, welche enormen Herausforderungen ein Material wie Graphit meistern muss, um unter solchen Bedingungen stabil zu bleiben.
Graphite – an indispensable component of the sintering process
Graphite fulfills several important functions in the sintering process that are crucial for the quality of the components:
- Heat resistance: Graphite remains stable even at temperatures above 2,500°C – a decisive advantage for high-temperature processes.
- Efficient heat conduction: To ensure that each component is sintered evenly, graphite distributes the heat optimally in the furnace.
- Minimal deformation: Thanks to its low thermal expansion, the shape of the workpiece is precisely maintained.
- Chemical neutrality: Graphite does not react with the process gases or materials – so the sintered products remain clean and precise.
Where graphite is used in the sintering process
Graphite is used in various areas of the sintering process:
- Process equipment: graphite prevents components from sticking to furnace components and ensures smooth processes. graphite prevents components from sticking to furnace components and ensures smooth processes.
- Heating elements: They ensure precise temperature control and contribute to the energy efficiency of the process.
- Charging racks and mold inserts: These stable carrier structures prevent deformation and ensure perfect results.
- Insulation materials: Soft and hard graphite felts minimize heat loss and increase energy efficiency.
