Optimisation of thermoelectric green tape characteristics made by the tapecasting method

The variables of the tape casting process were optimised to produce green t apes made out of thermoelectric material powders, with sufficient strength to be handled during the post-processing stage. Most of the mechanisms and analysis concerning the organic additions to the powder, to create a flexib le green tape, have been explored. The types of organic additives used in t he formulation of the slurry, the effect of the ratio of the organic additi ves on the final physical characteristics of the green tapes are given. The manufacture of tapes characterised by the powder size, slurry viscosity, a pparent and bulk densities, tensile strength, and adhesion properties is ou tlined. All these parameters were optimised for the specific task of fabric ating a thermoelectric generator, as a monolithic block, made out of multi- layers of different materials. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights re served.