In situ nanotomography of the sintering of agglomerated ceramic powder

This proposal aims at analysing the sintering of agglomerated submicronic ceramic powder by in situ nanotomography. High temperature sintering is the main fabrication process of ceramics. It involves complex phenomena that are difficult to observe with conventional techniques. 3D imaging in the course of sintering has proved to be highly valuable for improving the understanding of sintering of metal and glass powders. More recently, during MA-4632 experiment, a micron-size ceramic powder has been 3D imaged throughout sintering at 1500°C, taking advantage of the resolutions and scan times available at ID16B-NA. In this following project, we will use the same procedure for in situ observation of agglomerated submicron zinc oxide powder compacts that exhibit inter-agglomerate pores. Quantitative analysis of 3D images will allow following the changes of these pores in the course of sintering, which play a key role in the properties of sintered ceramic parts.