Non-firing Solidification of Ceramics Using Powder Surface Activation by Attrition

Abstract

This article explains a new concept of the room-temperature powder solidification process, named as the “non-firing solidification process”. Authors have recently introduced this method whose main concept is to activate the surface of particles by mechanical milling and consolidate the particles via the joining of activated surfaces. This method is shown to be effective for a wide range of materials including oxides and non-oxides. As a model, SiO₂ (silica) is extensively studied and radical centers before and after surface activation are monitored by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). As an index of the activation, the amount of adsorbed water on the surface of silica is also measured. Finally, the wide application of the method from 3D printing to inorganic/organic composites is introduced.