BINDER EXTRACTION FROM GREEN MULTILAYER CERAMICS USING A WEIGHT-LOSS RATE-CONTROLLED THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYZER

A weight loss rate-controlled organic extraction furnace was built and demonstrated using a multilayer green ceramic. Multirate weight loss schedules as well as automated atmosphere control and detection were d emonstrated. The low thermal mass furnace showed good tracking with 30 0 degrees C heating and cooling rates. This furnace, coupled with appr opriate PID control constants, facilitated feedback control which coul d extract organics rapidly without self-ignition to uncontrolled combu stion. Controlled organic burnout was demonstrated at weight loss rate s up to 0.5%/min in air. Damage-free multilayers were observed using a burnout rate requiring 150 min for extraction, rather than the days c ommonly associated with this task when using conventional furnaces. (C ) 1997 American Institute of Physics.