Do you want to optimize your firing processes or launch new products on the market and develop new technologies for them? Our kilns for research and development are true “all-rounders,” allowing you to create any firing situation up to a temperature of 1800 °C (3272 °F).
The optimized results from the laboratory can be transferred 1:1 to production thanks to the unique firing technology.
Our aim is the perfect firing. This is why we have developed a software tool that optimizes firing control, for example, by specifying the maximum allowable heat flow within a test specimen without cracking the ceramic structure.
The energy supply to the kiln system depends on this heat flow, and the optimum firing curve for the product is automatically generated.
DC 4 RESEARCH KILN
DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF YOUR CERAMICS
To determine the values associated with the drying, debinding, and sintering of ceramic compounds, scientists and engineers use dilatometers to measure dimensional changes, DTA instruments to measure energy released or absorbed, and thermal gravimetric instruments to measure mass changes. These tests are performed independently on small samples, weighing a few grams or measuring a few centimeters, and provide only limited information. As a result, drying or firing processes for products must be developed based on time-consuming and costly experiments.
The DC 4 research kiln is a globally unique and innovative thermal processing system developed by CTB to simultaneously define physical and chemical transformations during the thermal treatment of full-size ceramic products. The process is fast and highly accurate, providing data that can be used to develop optimum drying or firing processes in the shortest possible time. This means that the equipment automatically generates firing parameters such as ramp rates and atmosphere based on weight loss, dimensional changes, or the thermal profile of the ware.
The weight changes of the product as a function of temperature and atmosphere are continuously measured with a precision scale, and 12 thermocouples inserted into the sample provide a complete thermal profile during heating and cooling. Data is recorded and displayed in real time. CTB’s proprietary software can develop a firing process based on the desired weight loss rate. The weight changes of the product as a function of temperature and atmosphere are continuously measured with a precision scale, and 12 thermocouples inserted into the sample provide a complete thermal profile during heating and cooling. Data is recorded and displayed in real time. CTB’s proprietary software can develop a firing process based on the desired weight loss rate.
Dimensional changes in the product as a function of temperature and atmosphere are measured at four points with precision LVDTs, and 12 thermocouples inserted into the piece provide a complete thermal profile during the firing cycle. Data is recorded and displayed in real time. The CTB software can generate a heating cycle based on the desired rate of dimensional change.
A complete record of the temperature gradients in the product is made using 12 thermocouples inserted into the product. The thermocouples provide the thermal behavior of the product geometry as a function of ramp rate, atmosphere, or kiln volume exchange per hour, which gives an indication of the flow conditions of the surrounding atmosphere. CTB software can be used to design a firing process based on the thermal behavior of the ware as a function of temperature or atmosphere. This means that the maximum allowable temperature gradient in the piece can be adjusted to the desired values by changing the heating and cooling rate or the composition of the atmosphere.
ALL OF THE ABOVE MEASUREMENTS CAN BE TAKEN SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM ROOM TEMPERATURE UP TO 1600 °C IN VARIOUS ATMOSPHERES WITH PRODUCT SIZES IN ORIGINAL 1:1 SCALE. The data provided by the DC 4 gives the scientist or engineer a complete picture of all the physical and chemical transformations taking place during thermal treatment, allowing the development of optimum drying and firing processes in the shortest and most cost-effective way.
CTB Firing Center
“CTB Firing Center”: Our goal is the perfect firing. This is why we have developed a software tool that optimizes firing control, for example, by specifying the maximum allowable heat flow within a test specimen without cracking the ceramic structure. The energy supply to the kiln system depends on this heat flow, and the optimum firing curve for the product is automatically generated.
Research and development using the CTB hybrid kiln:
Tomorrows Kiln Technology Today
