Effect of shaping method on the densification of SnO2 ceramic pieces

Abstract

Tin oxide, SnO2, has a big technological importance. For its uses it is of great interest to optimize the sintering conditions to obtain an adequate densification, microstructure and mechanical properties, depending on the technological application. In this paper, ceramic powders of SnO2 obtained by controlled precipitation method were sintered. Powders were shaped to obtain “green” pieces using both pressing and by the casting method (“slip casting”) for this. For the slip casting method was realized a careful study of SnO2 suspensions to obtain a stable slurry. For determine the effect of shaping methods on the densification of pieces, were obtained important information analyzing the results of curves of weight loss, shrinkage and densification, as temperature functions, of the different samples. Finally, the sintered pieces were characterized using SEM to know their microstructure. The shaped pieces using colloidal method showed the higher density values (ρ = 4.2 ± 0.2 g/cm3). These samples showed a uniform microstructure with very small pores. These characteristics would allow their use as membranes or gas sensors.

Keywords

• pressing
• slip casting
• sintering
• densification
• tin oxide