Free standing sintered ceramic films from electrophoretic deposition

The fabrication of free standing ceramic films similar to 10 mu m has been demonstrated using electrophoretic deposition on a polished substrate with a fugitive graphite electrode. Electrophoretic deposition allows a homogene ous powder bed to be obtained with green densities similar to 55 to 60% of theoretical density. The graphite interlayer first acts as the electrode an d then on sintering is removed, therefore providing only a weakly bonded in terface. The deposit undergoes sintering under unconstrained conditions, ow ing to the poor adhesion, then on cooling the thermal expansion mismatch le ads to free standing films.