WO2022137933A1

WO2022137933A1 - Ceramic article, method for molding ceramic material, method for producing ceramic article, and mold

Info

Publication number: WO2022137933A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/042664
Authority: WO
Inventors: 英伸渡辺; 弘法佐藤; 美紗子貴島; 雄斗大越
Original assignee: Ａｇｃ株式会社
Priority date: 2020-12-24
Filing date: 2021-11-19
Publication date: 2022-06-30
Also published as: JPWO2022137933A1

Abstract

According to the present invention, a ceramic article having good properties is obtained. A method for molding a ceramic material comprises: a step for mixing a ceramic powder, a sintering aid, a resin, a curing agent, and a solvent to prepare a ceramic casting liquid that becomes a ceramic material; a step for injecting the ceramic casting liquid into a mold which can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent and inside which a cavity is formed; a step for forming a cured body having a desired shape by curing the resin in the ceramic casting liquid that has been injected into the mold; and a step for dissolving the mold in a non-aqueous solvent to release the cured body. The mold is formed from a soluble resin which can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, and has an elastic modulus of 500 [MPa] to 5,000 [MPa] and a thermal conductivity of 0.05 [W/mK] to 0.40 [W/mK].

Description

Ceramic articles, molding methods for ceramic materials, manufacturing methods and molding dies for ceramic articles

The present invention relates to a ceramic article, a method for forming a ceramic material, a method for manufacturing a ceramic article, and a molding die.

Various molding methods such as injection molding, casting molding, extrusion molding, and gel casting can be used for molding ceramic articles, and ceramic articles of various shapes can be produced.

In the molding of ceramic articles, a molding mold is used to obtain a desired product shape. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a molding die that melts with heated water at the time of demolding, and Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe a molding die made of Styrofoam that melts with a solvent at the time of demolding. In this way, by melting or melting the molding die to remove the mold, it is possible to remove the mold without applying stress to the molded body, and it is possible to suppress damage to the molded body at the time of removing the mold.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-34572 Japanese Patent No. 5146010 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-228424

Here, it is required to obtain a ceramic article having good properties.

One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a method for forming a ceramic material capable of appropriately molding a molded body to obtain a ceramic article having good properties and a ceramic article having good properties. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a ceramic article and a molding die.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the ceramic article according to the present disclosure is a spherical ceramic article which is a sintered body of ceramics, and has a concave portion along the circumferential direction on the surface thereof. The recess has a depth of 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the method for forming a ceramic material according to the present disclosure is a ceramic injection in which a ceramic powder, a sintering aid, a resin, a curing agent and a solvent are mixed to form a ceramic material. A step of preparing a mold liquid, a step of injecting the ceramic casting liquid into a molding mold that is soluble in a non-aqueous solvent and has a cavity inside, and a step of injecting the ceramic casting liquid into the molding mold. The molding includes a step of curing the resin to form a cured product having a desired shape, and a step of dissolving the molding mold in the non-aqueous solvent to demold the cured product. It is made of a soluble resin that is soluble in the non-aqueous solvent, has an elasticity of 500 [MPa] to 5000 [MPa], and has a thermal conductivity of 0.05 [W / mK] to 0.40 [W / mK]. ].

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present disclosure includes a step of drying the cured body obtained by the method for forming a ceramic material to form a molded body. It includes a step of degreasing the molded body to make a degreased body and a step of firing the degreased body to make a sintered body.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the molding die according to the present disclosure contains a soluble resin soluble in a non-aqueous solvent, and a ceramic material is filled therein to obtain a cured product having a desired shape. The elastic modulus is 500 [MPa] to 5000 [MPa], and the thermal conductivity is 0.05 [W / mK] to 0.40 [W / mK].

According to one aspect of the present invention, a ceramic article having good properties can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a molding die according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding die according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of molding a ceramic material according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a step of obtaining a cured product having a desired shape. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the ceramic article according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a CT image of the ceramic article according to the present embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and when there are a plurality of embodiments, the present invention also includes a combination of the respective embodiments. In addition, the rounding range is included for the numerical values.

(Molding mold)
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a molding die according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the molding die according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the molding die 10 according to the present embodiment is a mold in which a ceramic material is filled therein and a cavity C for obtaining a cured product having a desired shape is formed. It can be said that the molding die 10 is formed of a soluble resin and the cavity C is covered with the mold made of the soluble resin.

(Characteristics of molding mold)
The mold 10 is soluble in a non-aqueous solvent. In other words, the soluble resin used in the molding die 10 is a resin that dissolves in a non-aqueous solvent. A description of the non-aqueous solvent will be described later. The molding die 10 preferably has a dissolution rate in a non-aqueous solvent of 1 μm / min to 80 μm / min, more preferably 5 μm / min to 30 μm / min, and 6 μm / min to 15 μm / min. Is more preferable. When the melting rate is within this range, the molding die 10 can be appropriately melted and demolded. The melting rate of the molding die 10 refers to a value obtained by dividing the thickness (μm) of the molding die 10 to be melted by time. The method for measuring the dissolution rate of the molding die 10 is arbitrary, but it may be measured by the following method. The ceramic material is cured in the molding die 10 having a thickness of 1.6 mm, and the molding die 10 is immersed in methylene chloride having a temperature of 25 ° C. Then, the time at which all the molding molds 10 are completely dissolved is measured and used as the dissolution time, and the value obtained by dividing 1.6 mm by the dissolution time is used as the dissolution rate. The numerical range represented by "-" means a numerical range including the numerical values before and after "as the lower limit value and the upper limit value", and when "-" is used thereafter, it means the same meaning.

It is preferable that the molding die 10 does not melt due to heating during curing of the ceramic material in the cavity C. The melting point of the molding die 10 is preferably 70 ° C. or higher, and may be 80 ° C. to 250 ° C., or 100 ° C. to 230 ° C. Further, the melting point of the molding die 10 may be 100 ° C. or higher, 120 ° C. to 250 ° C., or 150 ° C. to 230 ° C. When the melting point of the molding die 10 is in this range, the molding die 10 is suppressed from melting during molding, and a cured product having a desired shape can be appropriately obtained.

The molding die 10 has an elastic modulus of 500 MPa to 5000 MPa, preferably 700 MPa to 4000 MPa, and more preferably 1100 MPa to 2600 MPa. The elastic modulus here is a tensile elastic modulus, that is, Young's modulus, and may refer to, for example, a value under the conditions of 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 0% ° C. Further, the molding die 10 preferably has a tensile strength of 500 MPa to 5000 MPa, more preferably 1000 MPa to 3000 MPa. The tensile strength here may refer to a value under the conditions of, for example, 23 ° C. and a relative humidity of 0% ° C. By setting the elastic modulus and tensile strength of the molding die 10 within this range, the shape of the molded body is not deformed to the extent that it can be formed into a desired shape, and the shape of the molding material is stabilized until the molding material is cured (gelled). Can be held. Tensile strength and tensile modulus can be measured by ISO 527-1 and ISO 527-2.

The mold 10 has a thermal conductivity of 0.05 [W / mK] to 0.40 [W / mK] and 0.08 [W / mK] to 0.30 [W / mK]. Is preferable, and it is more preferably 0.1 [W / mK] to 0.2 [W / mK]. When the thermal conductivity is within this range, heat can be appropriately transferred to the ceramic material in the cavity C during the curing step, and the ceramic material can be appropriately cured. The thermal conductivity can be measured by, for example, JIS A1412-2.

The soluble resin used in the mold 10 is mainly composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Stylerene) resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polyester. Is preferable. Further, it is more preferable that the soluble resin used in the molding die 10 contains polystyrene as a main component. As the polystyrene, for example, by using a soluble resin used in the molding die 10 such as toyostyrene impact-resistant polystyrene H350 as such a material, the above-described characteristics can be appropriately imparted to the molding die 10. .. The main component here means, for example, that the ratio of the material to the whole of the molding die 10 is 50% or more by mass ratio, preferably 80% or more, and more preferably 95% or more.

It is preferable that the molding die 10 does not have a film or the like formed on the inner surface of a component other than the soluble resin. That is, in the molding die 10, it is preferable that the soluble resin is not completely covered by the coating film of other components on the inner surface side, and the soluble resin is exposed in at least a part of the inner surface, and the inner surface is preferably exposed. It is preferable that the soluble resin is exposed over the entire area. If a film of a component other than the soluble resin is present on the inner surface of the molding die 10, it may remain undissolved when the soluble resin as the main component is dissolved, and the film may need to be removed in another step. Therefore, if the film is not present or is present in a small amount, the productivity is improved, which is preferable. Further, if the film is an unnecessary component for the finally obtained ceramic material, it is preferable that it does not remain.

(Shape of molding mold)
The molding die 10 is composed of two or more divided bodies, and the divided bodies are fitted together. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the present embodiment, the molding die 10 includes the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14. An injection port portion 16 is connected to the first divided body 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, a first cavity (space) C1a is formed inside the first divided body 12. Since the portion of the first divided body 12 to be fitted with the second divided body 14 is not covered with the member (soluble resin), the first cavity C1a includes the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14. It is open when it is not fitted. A first cavity (space) C1b is formed inside the second divided body 14. Since the portion of the second divided body 14 to be fitted with the first divided body 12 is not covered with the member (soluble resin), the first cavity C1b is formed by the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14. It is open when it is not fitted.

As shown in FIG. 2, a second cavity (space) C2 is formed inside the injection port portion 16. Since the inlet portion 16 has an open end on the side connected to the first divided body 12, the second cavity C2 and the first cavity C1a are the first divided body 12 and the second cavity C2. It communicates through the connection point of. Further, the injection port 16a has an injection port 16a open at an end portion on the side opposite to the side connected to the first divided body 12. Therefore, the second cavity C2 and the first cavity C1a communicate with the outside via the injection port 16a. Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion between the injection port portion 16 and the first divided body 12, in other words, a constriction 18 is formed between the second cavity C2 and the first cavity C1a. The constriction 18 is a protruding portion that protrudes inward in the radial direction from the inner peripheral surface of the connection portion between the injection port portion 16 and the first divided body 12. Therefore, when viewed from the axial direction of the injection port portion 16, the opening area of the portion between the second cavity C2 and the first cavity C1a (the portion where the constriction 18 is formed) is the opening area of the second cavity C2. And smaller than the opening area of the first cavity C1a. However, the shape of the injection port portion 16 is not limited to the above description and may be arbitrary. Further, the constriction 18 is not an essential configuration and may not be provided.

As described above, the first cavity C1a is formed inside the first divided body 12, the first cavity C1b is formed inside the second divided body 14, and the second cavity C1b is formed inside the injection port portion 16. Cavity C2 is formed. In the state where the second divided body 14 of the first divided body 12 is fitted, the first cavity C1a, the first cavity C1b, and the second cavity C2 communicate with each other to form the cavity C. That is, the cavity C includes a first cavity C1a, a first cavity C1b, and a second cavity C2.

Of the cavities C, the portions formed by the first cavities C1a and the first cavities C1b are shaped so as to give the cured body a desired shape. That is, assuming that the portion formed by the first cavity C1a and the first cavity C1b is the first cavity C1, the first cavity C1 has a shape such that the cured body has a desired shape. The first cavity C1 is spherical in the present embodiment, and the obtained cured body, molded body, and sintered body are also spherical. However, the first cavity C1 is not limited to a spherical shape and may have an arbitrary shape. In the present embodiment, since the molding die 10 is demolded by dissolving the molding die 10 with a non-aqueous solvent, the cavity has a complicated shape with many irregularities or intricate shape, and damage such as a constriction or a fine line shape. Even when it has a shape that is easy to form, a cured product, a molded product, and a sintered body that retain the desired shape can be stably obtained without impairing the desired shape. The first cavity C1 includes the first cavity C1a and the first cavity C1b, and can be said to be a cavity formed inside the fitted first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14.

On the other hand, the portion of the second cavity C2 in the cavity C communicates with the first cavity C1 and is provided with an injection port 16a. It can be said that the second cavity C2 is a portion for injecting a ceramic material into the first cavity C1.

The molding die 10 preferably has one injection port for injecting a ceramic material. This is because when the injection of the ceramic material is completed, it can be easily sealed by closing only one injection port. However, a plurality of injection ports may be provided. When there is only one injection port, it is preferable that the number of processes for obtaining a desired shape is small in the vicinity of the injection port of the molded body or the sintered body. When there are a plurality of injection ports, it is preferable in terms of uniform injection of the ceramic casting liquid and improvement of productivity, but it may be necessary to process a plurality of locations in the vicinity of the injection port in the molded body or sintered body.

The thickness of the portion of the molding die 10 that forms the first cavity C1 is defined as the thickness D1. In this case, the thickness D1 is preferably 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm, more preferably 0.6 mm to 2.0 mm, and even more preferably 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm. Since the thickness D1 of the molding die 10 is in this range, the molding die 10 can be appropriately melted at the time of demolding while maintaining the strength at the time of molding. The thickness D1 can also be said to be the length from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface of the portion forming the first cavity C1. That is, it can be said that the thickness D1 is the thickness from the inner peripheral surface 12a to the outer peripheral surface 12b of the first divided body 12, and is the thickness from the inner peripheral surface 14a to the outer peripheral surface 14b of the second divided body 14. It can be said that.

Further, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra specified in JIS B 0601: 2001 on the inner surface of the portion of the molding die 10 forming the first cavity C1 is preferably 0.01 μm or more and 5 μm or less, preferably 0.05 μm or more and 1 μm. It is more preferably 0.1 μm or more, and further preferably 0.5 μm or less. When the surface roughness of the inner surface of the first cavity C1 is within this range, the dimensional accuracy and surface flatness of the cured product can be ensured, and the appearance defect can be suppressed. It can be said that the inner surface of the portion forming the first cavity C1 is the inner peripheral surface 12a of the first divided body 12, and can be said to be the inner peripheral surface 14a of the second divided body 14.

The volume of the second cavity C2 is preferably 0.5% by volume to 5% by volume, more preferably 0.8% by volume to 4% by volume, based on the volume of the first cavity C1. It is more preferably 1% by volume to 3% by volume. When the volume of the second cavity C2 is within this range, even when the ceramic material is cured and shrunk, the ceramic material filled in the second cavity C2 is drawn into the first cavity C1, and the dimensional accuracy of the cured body is appropriate. Can be secured to.

(Matching points between divided bodies)
FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a fitting portion between the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the first divided body 12 includes a main body portion 12A and a protruding portion 12B. The main body portion 12A is a portion forming the first cavity C1a, and in the example of the present embodiment, the main body portion 12A is a hollow hemispherical member in which the portion on the side fitted to the second divided body 14 is open. The protruding portion 12B projects from the end portion 12Aa of the main body portion 12A on the side fitted to the second divided body 14 to the side fitted to the second divided body 14. The protruding portion 12B is provided so that the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 12B and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 12A are integrated. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 12B and the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 12A form the inner peripheral surface 12a of the first divided body 12. On the other hand, the protruding portion 12B is provided so that the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 12B is located on the inner peripheral surface 12a side (inner in the radial direction) with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 12A. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 12A forms the outer peripheral surface 12b of the first divided body 12. Although FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing only a part in the circumferential direction, the protruding portion 12B is formed over the entire area of the main body portion 12A in the circumferential direction.

The second divided body 14 includes a main body portion 14A and a protruding portion 14B. The main body portion 14A is a portion forming the first cavity C1b, and in the example of the present embodiment, the main body portion 14A is a hollow hemispherical member in which the portion on the side fitted to the first divided body 12 is open. The protruding portion 14B protrudes from the end portion 14Aa of the main body portion 14A on the side fitted to the first divided body 12 to the side fitted to the first divided body 12. The protruding portion 14B is provided so that the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 14B and the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 14A are integrated. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 14B and the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 14A form the outer peripheral surface 14b of the second divided body 14. On the other hand, the protruding portion 14B is provided so that the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 14B is located on the outer peripheral surface 14b side (outer in the radial direction) with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 14A. That is, the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 14A forms the inner peripheral surface 14a of the second divided body 14. The protruding portion 14B is formed over the entire area of the end portion 14Aa in the circumferential direction. Although FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing only a part in the circumferential direction, the protruding portion 14B is formed over the entire area of the main body portion 14A in the circumferential direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first division body 12 and the second division body 14 are such that the protrusion 12B of the first division body 12 is inserted inside the protrusion 14B of the second division body 14. It is fitted. In the state where the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14 are fitted, the tip portion 12Ba of the protruding portion 12B of the first divided body 12 is radially inside the protruding portion 14B of the second divided body 14. , Contact with the end portion 14Aa of the main body portion 14A of the second split body 14. Further, the tip portion 14Ba of the protruding portion 14B of the second divided body 14 comes into contact with the end portion 12Aa of the main body portion 12A of the first divided body 12 on the radial outer side of the protruding portion 12B of the first divided body 12.

The thickness D2 of the protruding portion 12B is preferably 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, more preferably 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm, and even more preferably 0.8 mm to 1 mm. When the thickness D2 is within this range, the alignment between the tip portion 12Ba of the protruding portion 12B and the end portion 14Aa of the main body portion 14A is ensured, and a gap is formed between the first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14. Can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to appropriately manufacture the cured product by suppressing the entry of outside air into the inside of the molding die 10. Further, when the thickness D2 of the protruding portion 12B is within the above numerical range, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 12B from becoming too thin and to secure the strength. The thickness D2 can be said to be the thickness in the normal direction of the portion where the divided bodies are fitted to each other, and can also be said to be the thickness of the member on the inner peripheral surface side at the portion where the divided bodies are fitted to each other.

The first divided body 12 and the second divided body 14 are fitted as described above, but the fitting structure is not limited to that described above. For example, in the above example, the protruding portion 12B formed on the inner peripheral surface side is provided on the first divided body 12 side, and the protruding portion 14B formed on the outer peripheral surface side is provided on the second divided body 14 side. The protrusion 12B was inserted into the protrusion 14B, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, conversely, a protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface side is provided on the second divided body 14 side, and a protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface side is provided on the first divided body 12 side, and the second divided body is provided. The protrusion on the 14 side may be inserted into the protrusion on the 12 side of the first divided body.

The molding die 10 has the above configuration. However, the molding die 10 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the molding die 10 may be an integrally formed mold, for example, instead of a configuration including a plurality of divided bodies.

The molding die 10 can be manufactured by an arbitrary method so as to have a cavity C having a desired shape. Examples of the molding method of the molding die 10 include melt molding. The melt molding is a method in which the material of the molding die 10 is melted, molded into a desired shape, and cured. For example, examples of the molding method of the molding die 10 include injection molding, blow molding and the like.

(Forming method of ceramic material)
Next, a method for molding the ceramic material according to the present embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the ceramic material is molded using the molding die 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of molding a ceramic material according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, in this molding method, the raw material mixing step is first executed. The raw material mixing step is a step of mixing a ceramic powder having a desired composition with a resin, a curing agent and a solvent to obtain a slurry-shaped ceramic material (hereinafter referred to as a ceramic casting liquid) (S1).

The ceramic powder is not particularly limited as long as it becomes ceramic by sintering, and examples thereof include known ceramic powder. Examples of the ceramic powder include aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and sialon. One of these may be used alone, or two or more thereof may be mixed and used.

The ceramic powder preferably has a ₅₀ % particle size D50 of less than 1.0 μm so that a stable sintered body can be obtained in the sintering step described later. If the 50% particle size D ₅₀ is 1.0 μm or more, molding defects may occur due to particle settling in the slurry, which may lead to a decrease in sintering density. The 50% particle size _D50 is more preferably less than 0.9 μm, still more preferably less than 0.8 μm. Further, a particle size D ₅₀ of 0.1 μm or more is preferable because it facilitates scattering, clogging prevention and procurement during handling.

When silicon nitride (Si _{3N 4} ₎ is used as the ceramic powder, the structure obtained by sintering is a bonded phase in which the main phase crystal particles containing silicon nitride as a main component are vitreous and / or crystalline. It is preferable that the form is combined with.

When silicon nitride is used as the ceramic powder, the ceramic powder preferably has a silicon nitride pregelatinization rate of 70% or more, more preferably 80% or more, still more preferably 90% or more. When the silicon nitride powder has a pregelatinization rate of less than 70%, the effect of incorporating the needle-like structure during the phase transition from α to β during sintering cannot be sufficiently obtained, and the strength of the sintered body decreases. If the silicon nitride powder has a pregelatinization rate of 90% or more, a sufficient incorporation effect can be obtained and a sintered body having high strength, particularly toughness, can be obtained. The content of silicon nitride having such a pregelatinization rate in the ceramic powder is preferably 85% by mass or more, more preferably 92% by mass or more.

In addition, a sintering aid for improving sintering is added to the ceramic powder. Group 2 (alkaline earth metal), Group 3 (rare earth (scandium group)), Group 4 (titanium group), Group 5 (earth metal (vanadium group)), 13th group as sintering aids Examples thereof include sintering aids containing at least one selected from the group (boron group (earth metal)) and group 14 (carbon group) element groups, and the content in the ceramic powder is 1 in terms of oxide. It is preferably mass% to 15% by mass, more preferably 2% by mass to 8% by mass. In order to obtain a uniform and high-strength sintered body, it is preferable that the content of the sintering aid is small, but if it is less than 1% by mass, sintering may become difficult.

The resin is a component for molding a ceramic material into a desired shape in a curing step described later, and examples thereof include known curable resins. As the resin used in this embodiment, a resin that is required to have shape retention in the curing step and forms a three-dimensional network structure by a polymerization reaction is used. The resin is preferably liquid in that it enhances the fluidity of the ceramic casting liquid and has good filling property into the molding mold 1 described later.

It is also necessary that the resin can be easily removed from the ceramic molded product in the degreasing step after the curing step and before sintering. Examples of the resin used in this embodiment include epoxy resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, acrylic acid resin, urethane resin and the like. Among them, epoxy resin is preferably used because it has good shape retention. Examples of the epoxy resin include glycidyl ether type epoxy resin of bisphenols such as bisphenol A type and bisphenol F type, phenol novolac type epoxy resin, cresol novolac type epoxy resin, glycidylamine type epoxy resin, and glycidyl such as aliphatic epoxy resin. Examples thereof include an ether type epoxy resin, a glycidyl ester type epoxy resin, a methyl glycidyl ether type epoxy resin, a cyclohexene oxide type epoxy resin, and a rubber-modified epoxy resin. The resin added to the ceramic casting liquid is preferably a material different from the soluble resin of the molding die 10.

When an epoxy resin is used as the resin to be added to the ceramic casting liquid, the average molecular weight of the epoxy resin is preferably 20,000 to 30,000. The average molecular weight of the epoxy resin is more preferably 50 to 3000, still more preferably 50 to 2500, in that the resin and the powder can be easily mixed and a constant mechanical strength can be obtained.

The curing agent cures the resin and is selected according to the resin used. The curing agent is preferably water-soluble and rapidly cures the resin, and examples thereof include amine-based curing agents, acid anhydride-based curing agents, and polyamide-based curing agents. The amine-based curing agent is preferable in that the reaction is rapid, and the acid anhydride-based curing agent is preferable in that a cured product having excellent heat impact resistance can be obtained.

Examples of the amine-based curing agent include aliphatic amines, alicyclic amines, aromatic amines, and any of monoamines, diamines, triamines, and polyamines can be used. Examples of the acid anhydride-based curing agent include methyltetrahydrophthalic anhydride and dibasic acid polyanhydride.

The solvent adjusts the viscosity of the mixture of the raw materials to be used to form a slurry, which facilitates filling of the ceramic casting liquid into the molding die 10 described later. As the solvent, for example, water ( _H2O ), alcohols, and other organic solvents can be used. Among them, the water system is preferable from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost and environmental load.

The selection of the resin and the solvent should be a combination having a good affinity between the resin and the solvent in order to facilitate the removal of the resin in the degreasing step described later. If the affinity between the resin and the solvent is poor, the resin and the solvent may separate and segregate inside the molded product, which may cause defects such as pores during sintering.

The above-mentioned ceramic powder, resin, curing agent and solvent are mixed to prepare a ceramic casting liquid. If necessary, a dispersant or the like is added. At this time, mixing may be performed by a known method, for example, a dissolver, a homomixer, a kneader, a roll mill, a sand mill, a ball mill, a bead mill, a vibrator mill, a high-speed impeller mill, an ultrasonic homogenizer, a shaker, a planetary mill, and a self-revolution. Examples include mixers and in-line mixers.

As the dispersant to be added as needed, a pH adjuster, a surfactant, a polymer dispersant, etc. can be appropriately selected and added in order to dissociate and further disperse the agglomerates of the ceramic powder. The pH adjuster, surfactant, polymer dispersant and the like are preferably those that do not adversely affect the gelation of the above-mentioned curable resin.

As the basic pH adjuster, a basic organic substance can be used, for example, alkanolamines such as ammonia, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine, choline, guanidines, tetramethylammonium hydroxide and the like 4 Examples include grade ammonium salts.

As the acidic pH adjuster, inorganic acids, organic acids and salts thereof can be used, for example, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, citric acid, malic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, tartrate acid and the like, salts thereof, amino acids. Androgynous salts and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the surfactant include alkylamine salts, aliphatic or aromatic quaternary ammonium salts, heterocyclic quaternary ammonium salts such as pyridinium and imidazolium, phosphonium or sulfonium salts containing an aliphatic or heterocycle, and acetylene. Glycol and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of the polymer dispersant include polymers having a primary to tertiary amine, a quaternary ammonium base, a quaternary phosphonium base, etc. in the polymer main chain or side chain, acrylic acid, a homopolymer of a salt thereof, and water-soluble. Examples thereof include a sex aminocarboxylic acid-based polymer and a (co) polymer of an acrylic acid ester.

These pH adjusters, surfactants, and polymer dispersants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Further, in the case of the room temperature curing type, since the reaction starts when the resin and the curing agent are mixed, the resin-added slurry containing the resin and the curing agent-added slurry containing the curing agent are separately prepared. However, the separately prepared slurries may be mixed at the time of use. When the resin-added slurry and the curing agent-added slurry are prepared separately, the ceramic powder may be mixed with either slurry or both slurries, separately from both slurries. A slurry containing ceramic powder may be prepared separately. Above all, it is preferable to mix the ceramic powder with both the resin-added slurry and the curing agent-added slurry to prepare the ceramic powder at the same concentration because the concentration does not fluctuate when mixed and stable operation can be performed.

A ceramic casting liquid is prepared using the raw material slurry which is the above-mentioned raw material mixture.
The viscosity of the ceramic casting liquid may be any viscosity as long as it can be easily filled in the casting liquid injection step described later. For example, the viscosity at a shear rate of 10 [1 / s] is preferably 50 Pa · s or less, preferably 20 Pa. -S or less is more preferable. Considering the handleability after filling, the viscosity of the ceramic casting liquid is more preferably in the range of 0.1 Pa · s to 10 Pa · s. The viscosity of the ceramic casting liquid can be easily adjusted by adjusting the amount of solvent used and the amount of resin added in the raw material used.

In addition, air or the like may be entrained by mixing in the raw material mixing step, and gas may be contained in the obtained ceramic casting liquid. Therefore, if necessary, a defoaming step for removing the gas contained in the ceramic casting liquid is performed before the casting liquid injection step, which is the next step. If gas is contained in the ceramic casting liquid, pores due to air bubbles may be generated inside in the curing step and may remain in the ceramic article obtained by firing.

In the defoaming step, the ceramic casting liquid may be defoamed under reduced pressure, and a defoaming pump (vacuum pump), a defoaming mixer, or the like is used. Defoaming may be performed, for example, for 1 minute to 120 minutes under a reduced pressure of 0.6 kPa to 10 kPa. When using a defoaming mixer, the raw material mixing step and the defoaming step can be carried out at the same time. Examples of the defoaming mixer include a rotation / revolution mixer equipped with a vacuum pump, a planetary mixer, and the like.

(Pouring liquid injection process)
The casting liquid injection step is a step of injecting the ceramic casting liquid obtained through the raw material mixing step and, if necessary, the defoaming step into the molding die 10 (S2). In the casting liquid injection step, the ceramic casting liquid is injected into the cavity C from the injection port 16a. In this case, it is preferable to inject the ceramic casting liquid so that the ceramic casting liquid is filled in the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2 of the cavities C.

In order to inject the ceramic casting liquid into the molding mold 10, a device capable of sending the ceramic casting liquid and supplying it into the molding mold 10 may be used. For example, a pump such as a diaphragm pump, a tube pump, or a syringe pump may be used. Generally mentioned. In particular, a rotary positive displacement diaphragm pump equipped with a precision constant velocity cam having a structure that does not generate pulsation is preferable. In addition, an in-line mixer or the like that can send a liquid while mixing raw materials to prepare a ceramic casting liquid can also be used. When using an in-line mixer, the raw material mixing step and the casting liquid injection step can be performed at the same time. Further, in the in-line mixer, when the resin-added slurry and the curing agent-added slurry are separately prepared and molded as described above, both slurries can be mixed and immediately sent to the molding die 10 for filling, which is preferable. ..
In addition to the above-mentioned device, a two-component mixing / discharging device may be used. Further, a method of discharging with a constant capacity cylinder may be used, or a valve switching method using a mono pump that suppresses pulsation may be used. A separate mixer may be used as the slurry mixing device.

(Curing process)
In the curing step, after injecting the ceramic casting liquid into the molding die 10, the resin component in the ceramic casting liquid is cured to cure the ceramic material into a desired shape (S3). In the curing step, the ceramic casting liquid is cured under desired curing conditions according to the characteristics of the ceramic casting liquid.

For example, in the case of a room temperature curing type ceramic casting liquid, the reaction starts from the time when the resin-added slurry and the curing agent-added slurry are mixed and cured, so that it may be left for a predetermined time. The curing time is about 1 hour to 3 days, preferably 1 hour to 24 hours from the viewpoint of production efficiency, and more preferably 1 hour to 12 hours.

In the case of a heat-curing type casting liquid, it is sufficient to heat it to a desired temperature to secure a sufficient curing time. For example, the heating temperature for curing the resin is preferably in the range of 30 ° C to 85 ° C, more preferably in the range of 40 ° C to 70 ° C, and in the range of 50 ° C to 60 ° C. It is more preferable to have. Further, the heating time, that is, the time for maintaining the heating temperature is preferably 5 minutes to 2880 minutes, more preferably 10 minutes to 1440 minutes, and further preferably 30 minutes to 180 minutes.

(Demolding process)
The demolding step is a step of taking out the cured body of the ceramic material cured in the curing step from the molding die 10 (S4). In the demolding step, the molding die 10 is brought into contact with a non-aqueous solvent, the molding die 10 is dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent, and the cured product is demolded. In order to effectively dissolve the molding die 10, the contact with the non-aqueous solvent is preferably immersed in the non-aqueous solvent. If immersion in a non-aqueous solvent is used to dissolve the molding die 10, the molding die 10 in which the ceramic material is cured inside can be easily removed by simply leaving the molding die 10 in the non-aqueous solvent.

The non-aqueous solvent is a liquid whose main component is a component other than water, and dissolves the soluble resin of the molding die 10. The non-aqueous solvent is preferably a solvent that dissolves the soluble resin of the molding die 10 and does not dissolve the resin in the ceramic casting liquid. As the non-aqueous solvent, for example, it is preferable that the main component is at least one material selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, d-limonene, acetone, and toluene. The main component here means, for example, that the ratio of the material to the whole non-aqueous solvent is 50% or more.

In the demolding step, the mold 10 is dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent in a temperature environment lower than the heating temperature at which the resin in the ceramic casting liquid is cured in the curing step to demold the cured product. Is preferable. Furthermore, in the demolding step, it is preferable to dissolve the molding die 10 in a non-aqueous solvent in an environment of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. to demold the cured product. By demolding at a relatively low temperature in this way, it is possible to suppress heating of the cured product more than necessary, and to produce an appropriate ceramic article.
The demolding time, that is, the time for contacting the molding die 10 with the non-aqueous solvent is preferably 20 minutes to 1800 minutes, more preferably 30 minutes to 240 minutes, and 60 minutes to 180 minutes. Is even more preferable. By setting the demolding time within this range in this way, the molding die 10 can be appropriately melted and appropriately demolded.

The demolding step may proceed at the same time as the curing step described above. That is, the demolding step may be performed immediately after injecting the ceramic casting liquid into the molding die 10. In this case, the molding die 10 filled with the ceramic casting liquid is immediately contacted with the non-aqueous solvent immediately after the ceramic casting liquid is filled, and the melting of the molding die 10 proceeds. At this time, the curing (gelling) of the ceramic casting liquid is allowed to proceed at the same time as the melting of the molding die 10.

However, in this case, before the ceramic casting liquid is sufficiently cured, the ceramic casting liquid is sufficiently cured against the dissolution of the molding mold 10 so as not to come into contact with the non-aqueous solvent used for demolding. Let me do it. Specifically, the molding die 10 is manufactured so that the exposure melting time of the molding die 10 is longer than the curing time of the ceramic casting liquid (curing time <exposure melting time). By adjusting both the curing time and the exposure melting time, the molding die 10 is melted (a part of the cured body inside is exposed) after the ceramic casting liquid is cured, and a cured body having a desired shape can be obtained. .. The curing time means the time from immediately after the ceramic casting liquid is adjusted until the ceramic casting liquid can maintain the shape of the molding mold by gel curing, and the exposure melting time means that the molding mold 10 is immersed in a non-aqueous solvent. It means the time from when it is made until a part of the cured body inside it is exposed.

The term "curing time" as used herein means a cured product in which the ceramic casting liquid is a viscoelastic solid as the formation of a three-dimensional network structure progresses due to the polymerization reaction of the resin and the curing agent in the ceramic casting liquid. It is the time until it has sufficient hardness to withstand handling. When the cured product is not hardened to a predetermined hardness or higher before the demolding step or the cured product after the demolding is advanced to the drying step, the cured product may be deformed or cracked.

The hardness that can be said to be sufficient for handling is appropriately determined by the shape and dimensions, but the "hardness that can be said to be sufficient for handling" in the present specification means that the cured product has a bending elastic modulus of 2 MPa or more. Is. In the method of confirming the "curing time" in the present specification, at the same time as the cured product in the present embodiment, a round bar cured product for destructive inspection is subjected to a predetermined elapsed time (for example, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes). A minimum of 3 pieces (n = 3) can be measured (for example, 24 pieces) in minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes, and a 3-point bending test is performed every predetermined elapsed time, and the flexural modulus is 2 MPa. It is assumed that the time has reached the above. For example, the measurement conditions are as follows.

Temperature Room temperature (25 ± 5 ° C)
Distance between fulcrums 30 mm
Specimen size φ9 mm x 35 mm
Equipment Shimadzu universal testing machine Tensilon AGS-J10kN

The flexural modulus in the 3-point bending test is calculated from the load-elongation graph using the tangential method that takes any two points from the initial gradient of the straight part. Here, two points of loads of 0.3N and 0.6N are taken, calculations are performed by the equations (1) and (2), the measured number is n = 3, and the average value can be used as the flexural modulus of the cured product.

In the above formula, L is the distance between fulcrums (mm), D is the sample diameter (mm), Fmax is the maximum load d (N), ΔF is the amount of change in bending load (N), and ΔS is the amount of change in elongation (N). Is.

The curing time and exposure dissolution time can be adjusted by adjusting the temperature of the non-aqueous solvent used for demolding, the type of molding mold 10 (type of resin and curing agent, amount of addition, etc.), thickness, and the like.

Further, the present embodiment may include a step of removing a part of the cured product after demolding the cured product by a demolding step to obtain a cured product having a desired shape. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a step of obtaining a cured product having a desired shape. As shown in FIG. 5, in the curing step (step S3), the ceramic casting liquid is cured in the molding die 10 to form the cured product P in the molding die 10. Since the ceramic casting liquid is injected into the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2 in the molding die 10, the cured product P is the cured product P1 which is a portion injected into the first cavity C1 and cured. 1 Includes a cured body P2 which is a portion injected into the cavity C1 and cured. Then, by the demolding step (step S4), the molding die 10 is melted to obtain a cured product P demolded from the molding die 10.

Here, a constriction 18 is formed between the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2. Therefore, the portion between the cured product P1 and the cured product P2 corresponding to the constriction 18 is a constricted portion having a diameter smaller than that of the cured product P2. In the step of obtaining a cured body having a desired shape, the cured body P2 is removed from the cured body P starting from the constricted portion between the cured body P1 and the cured body P2, and the cured body P1 is cured into a desired shape. Get as a body.

(Manufacturing method of ceramic articles)
Next, a method for manufacturing the ceramic article according to the present embodiment will be described. The method for manufacturing a ceramic article includes a drying step of drying a cured product obtained by the above-mentioned molding method of a ceramic material to form a molded body, a degreasing step of degreasing the molded body to obtain a degreased body, and sintering the degreased body. It has a sintering process for forming a sintered body.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present embodiment includes a raw material mixing step (step S1), a casting liquid injection step (step S2), a curing step (step S3), and a demolding step. It has (step S4), a drying step (step S5), a degreasing step (step S6), and a baking step (step S7). However, since the raw material mixing step to the demolding step (steps S1 to S4) are the same as the molding method of the ceramic material, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Drying process)
The drying step is a step of removing water, a volatile solvent, and the like from the cured product obtained in the demolding step and drying the cured product to obtain a molded product (step S5). In the drying step, the cured product is slowly dried so as not to cause cracks or the like. That is, the cured product is dried while preventing cracks and the like due to shrinkage stress caused by the difference in drying speed between the surface and the inside of the cured product.

As the conditions of the drying step, for example, the moisture contained in the cured product over a long period of time under relatively mild conditions such as 25 ° C to 50 ° C, relative humidity 50% to 95%, 48 hours to 7 days, etc. Remove. The drying step is preferably carried out until the water content of the cured product is 20% or less of the mass at the time of absolute drying.

(Degreasing process)
The degreasing step is a step of removing the resin, the non-volatile solvent and the like from the molded body obtained in the drying step to obtain a degreased body (step S6). In the degreasing step, most of the components that inhibit sintering are removed in the sintering step of the next step. If a large amount of components that inhibit sintering remain, pores may occur in the sintered body during sintering, or carbides may occur as by-products, making it impossible to obtain the characteristics required for the final product. There is a risk of.

As a condition of the degreasing step, for example, the temperature is slowly raised and maintained from 250 ° C. to 800 ° C., and the total processing time is contained in the molded product over a relatively long time such as 3 to 14 days. Removes resin components and the like. Here, the degreasing step particularly for silicon nitride is preferably carried out until the amount of residual carbon in the molded product is 900 ppm or less. The amount of residual carbon is not limited to carbides such as silicon carbide (SiC).

(Baking process)
The firing step is a step of firing the degreased body that has undergone the degreasing step to sintered the ceramic material into a sintered body (ceramic article) (step S7). In the firing in the firing step, the ceramic material is sintered to form a sintered body, that is, a ceramic article, and a known firing method may be applied.

The conditions of the firing step are not particularly limited as long as the firing step can be performed to obtain a sintered body. For example, when a molded body containing silicon nitride is fired, the firing is performed in a nitrogen atmosphere with an oxygen concentration of 50 ppm or less. preferable. Further, the maximum firing temperature in the firing step is set to 1800 ° C. or lower at which silicon nitride begins to thermally decompose, and the maximum temperature is preferably in the range of 1650 ° C. to 1750 ° C. The firing time is preferably in the range of 240 minutes to 15 hours, and may be in the range of 240 minutes to 12 hours.

(Secondary firing process)
The sintered body obtained in the firing step may be subjected to a secondary firing step in order to further obtain a sintered body having desired characteristics. This secondary firing step is a step of further applying a high pressure treatment to the sintered body obtained in the above-mentioned firing step (primary firing) to densify the structure of the sintered body.

As the high pressure treatment in this secondary firing step, a hot isostatic pressing method (HIP), gas pressure firing, hot pressing, etc. can be used. Generally, the sintered body obtained by sintering has high strength, and is preferably treated with HIP in the range of 1500 ° C to 1750 ° C and 50 MPa to 200 MPa.

(Ceramics article)
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the ceramic article according to the present embodiment. The ceramic article (sintered body) manufactured by the method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present embodiment will be referred to as the ceramic article 100, and the characteristics of the ceramic article 100 will be described below.

The ceramic article 100 is a sintered body of ceramics. The ceramic article 100 is preferably a sintered body of at least one ceramic of, for example, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and Sialon, and is a sintered body of silicon nitride. It is more preferable to have.

The ceramic article 100 is a sintered body after the firing step and before polishing. That is, the surface of the sintered body may be polished after the firing step (sintering step), but the ceramic article 100 of the present embodiment is a sintered body in an unpolished state (state before polishing). Point to. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the ceramic article 100 may refer to a sintered body in a state of being polished after sintering.
The ceramic article 100 may be used for any purpose, and may be used, for example, as a bare ball for a bearing ball. The raw ball here means an intermediate product when the final product is a bearing ball, and for example, by polishing the surface of the ceramic article 100, the bearing ball which is the final product is formed.

The ceramic article 100 is spherical. The sphere here is not limited to a true sphere, and for example, the ceramic article 100 is preferably true within 3%, more preferably within 2.5%, still more preferably within 2% with respect to the diameter D. It may be spherical. For example, in the case of a sintered body having a diameter of 50 mm, the sphericity is preferably 1.5 mm or less, more preferably 1.25 mm or less, still more preferably 1.0 mm or less. For example, in the case of a sintered body having a diameter of 10 mm, the sphericity is preferably 0.3 mm or less, more preferably 0.25 mm or less, still more preferably 0.2 mm or less. The diameter D here may refer to an average diameter (arithmetic mean value of the maximum and minimum values of the diameter).
The ceramic article 100 is a sintered body of the cured product P1 from which the cured product P2 corresponding to the constricted portion of the molding die 10 has been removed, and there are cases where protrusions remain at the locations where the cured product P2 has been removed. be. In this case, the diameter D of the ceramic article 100 refers to the diameter measured at a position other than the protrusion on the surface 100a of the ceramic article 100. Therefore, the arithmetic mean value of the maximum value and the minimum value of the diameter is the maximum value of the diameter of the ceramic article 100 measured at a place other than this protrusion and the diameter of the ceramic article 100 measured at a place other than this protrusion. Refers to the arithmetic mean value with the minimum of.

The diameter D of the ceramic article 100 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 80 mm or less, more preferably 30 mm or more and 55 mm or less, further preferably 45 mm or more and 55 mm or less, and 49 mm or more and 51 mm or less. More preferred. When the diameter is in this range, it can be suitably used for, for example, a bearing ball.

The ceramic article 100 has a recess 102 formed on the surface 100a along the circumferential direction R. It can be said that the concave portion 102 is formed by manufacturing the ceramic article 100 by the manufacturing method of the present embodiment using the molding die 10 which is a split die. The circumferential direction R is the circumferential direction when the direction along the axis passing through the center of the ceramic article 100 is the axial direction and the circumferential direction when the direction along the axis passing through the center of the ceramic article 100 is the axial direction. Point in the direction. The circumferential direction in the vicinity is a circumferential direction deviated within 5% from the position in the circumferential direction when the direction along the axis passing through the center of the ceramic article 100 is taken as the axial direction. The recess 102 refers to a recessed portion of the surface 100a. The ceramic article 100 is not limited to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R along the portion where the recess 102 is formed, but is a part of the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R along the portion where the recess 102 is formed. May not be dented or may be protruding. For example, the recess 102 may be formed over the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R in the circumferential direction R of the surface 100a, and may be formed in a section of 50% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R. It is more preferable that it is formed in a section of 25% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R. For example, the recess 102 may be formed in a section of 5% or more with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R in the circumferential direction R of the surface 100a, or may be formed in a section of 10% or more, or 15%. It may be formed by the above sections.
That is, the recess 102 may be formed over the entire circumference of 5% or more of the circumferential direction R in the circumferential direction R of the surface 100a, and is 10% or more and 50% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R. It may be formed in a section, or may be formed in a section of 15% or more and 25% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R.
Here, the fact that the recess 102 is formed in a section of 50% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R means that the recess 102 is continuously formed in a section of 50% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R. It is not limited to being done. The recess 102 is formed intermittently along the circumferential direction R, and the total length of the recess 102 may be 50% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R. The same may mean that the recess 102 is formed in a section of 25% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R, or is formed in a section of 5% or more.
In the present embodiment, the recess 102 is preferably formed along one circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100. In other words, it is preferable that the ceramic article 100 does not have a plurality of recesses 102 extending along different circumferential directions R. However, in this case, it is permissible that a plurality of recesses 102 are formed in series along the same circumferential direction R. The recess 102 is located on the surface 100a at a position facing or facing a boundary position (see FIG. 3) between the inner peripheral surface 12a of the first divided body 12 and the inner peripheral surface 14a of the second divided body 14. It is formed in the vicinity. In other words, the circumferential direction R in which the recess 102 is formed is a portion facing or facing the boundary position between the inner peripheral surface 12a of the first divided body 12 and the inner peripheral surface 14a of the second divided body 14 on the surface 100a. It will be near the location. Since the ceramic article 100 can shrink through the firing step, the circumferential direction R in which the recess 102 is formed is the boundary between the inner peripheral surface 12a of the first divided body 12 and the inner peripheral surface 14a of the second divided body 14. It may shift to the vicinity of the location facing the position.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a CT image of the ceramic article according to the present embodiment. Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the depth A1 and the width A2 of the recess 102 are defined.
The depth A1 refers to the distance between the straight line L connecting one end point 102A and the other end point 102B of the recess 102 and the bottom 102C of the recess 102 in the CT (Computed Tomography) image of the ceramic article 100. The end point 102A refers to the boundary position on one side of the concave portion 102 and a portion other than the concave portion 102 on the surface 100a in the CT image of the ceramic article 100 in the direction along the surface 100a. Similarly, the end point 102B points to the other side boundary position of the recess 102 and a portion other than the recess 102 on the surface 100a in the CT image of the ceramic article 100 in the direction along the surface 100a. Further, the bottom portion 102C refers to the deepest portion (the portion located on the innermost side in the radial direction) of the recess 102 in the CT image of the ceramic article 100.
The width A2 refers to the distance between the end points 102A and the end points 102B of the recess 102 in the CT image of the ceramic article 100.
For the CT image of the ceramic article 100, an InspecXio SMX-225CT manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation was used, and the ceramic article 100 was imaged under the conditions that the acceleration voltage was 150 kV, the acceleration current was 70 μm, and the Voxel size was 0.045 mm to 0.070 mm for the magnification. Point to the image.

The depth A1 of the recess 102 has a length of 1% or less, preferably 0.1% or more and 1% or less, and 0.1% or more and 0.6% with respect to the diameter D of the ceramic article 100. It is more preferably 0.1% or more and 0.4% or less. That is, as the recess 102, the depth A1 is 1% or less, preferably 0.1% or more and 1% or less, more preferably 0.1% or more and 0.6% or less, still more preferably 0.1, with respect to the diameter D. A section of% or more and 0.4% or less may be formed over 5% or more of the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100 or less, and 10% with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100. It may be formed in a section of 50% or more, or may be formed in a section of 15% or more and 25% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100.
By forming the concave portion 102 having such a depth A1, for example, when polishing the ceramic article 100, for example, when a convex portion having a width that can be visually confirmed is formed in the entire section in the circumferential direction. The polishing allowance can be reduced, the polishing process can be simplified, and the life of the grindstone can be extended. In the case of a spherical sintered body having a convex portion having a width that can be visually confirmed, in the polishing process, the convex portion is first scraped, then the burnt surface is removed, and the diameter is made uniform. Is needed. In the case of a convex portion, a polishing allowance for the convex portion is required, but in the case of a concave portion, the shaving allowance for the concave portion and the shaving allowance for removing the burnt surface of the surface and making the diameter uniform can be overlapped. As a result, the concave portion can have a smaller polishing allowance than the convex portion.
The depth A1 of the recess 102 is preferably 0.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and further preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.

The width A2 of the recess 102 is preferably 1% or less, more preferably 0.1% or more and 1% or less, and 0.1% or more and 0, with respect to the diameter D of the ceramic article 100. It is more preferably 6.6% or less, and further preferably 0.1% or more and 0.4% or less. That is, the width A2 of the recess 102 is preferably 1% or less, more preferably 0.1% or more and 1% or less, still more preferably 0.1% or more and 0.6% or less, still more preferably 0, with respect to the diameter D. . The section of 1% or more and 0.4% or less may extend over the entire circumference of 5% or more and the entire circumference of the ceramic article 100 with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100. It may span a section of 10% or more and 50% or less, and may span a section of 15% or more and 25% or less with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100.
By forming such a concave portion 102 having a width A2, for example, when polishing the ceramic article 100, the polishing allowance is reduced as compared with the case where a convex portion is formed in the entire section in the circumferential direction, for example. This makes it possible to simplify the polishing process and extend the life of the grindstone.
The width A2 of the recess 102 is preferably 0.5 mm or less, more preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less, and further preferably 0.05 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less.

In the ceramic article 100, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra specified by JIS B 0601: 2001 on the surface 100a at a portion other than the recess 102 and the protrusion is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 50 μm or less, preferably 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less. It is more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra1 is calculated by extracting the roughness curve of the surface 100a by the reference length. The reference length is, for example, 0.8 mm.

(effect)
As described above, the molding method according to the present embodiment includes a step of mixing a ceramic powder, a sintering aid, a resin, a curing agent and a solvent to prepare a ceramic casting liquid to be a ceramic material, and a non-aqueous system. The step of injecting the ceramic casting liquid into the molding mold 10 which is soluble in a solvent and the cavity C is formed inside, and the resin in the ceramic casting liquid injected into the molding mold 10 are cured to be desired. The present invention includes a step of forming a cured product having the shape of the above, and a step of dissolving the molding die 10 in a non-aqueous solvent to demold the cured product. The mold 10 is formed of a soluble resin that is soluble in a non-aqueous solvent. The molding die 10 has an elastic modulus of 500 MPa to 5000 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 0.05 W / mK to 0.40 W / mK.

When molding a ceramic material, it is required to properly mold a molded body to obtain a good molded body. According to this molding method, a shape is formed by gel casting using a molding die 10. Since the accuracy is good, the surface texture is good, and the curing time is short, the productivity can be increased, so that the molded product can be appropriately molded and a good molded product can be obtained. Specifically, since the molding die 10 uses a member that can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, it can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent and demolded, and the cured product can be demolded without applying stress. Damage can be suppressed. Further, since the molding die 10 having a high elastic modulus is used, deformation during injection and curing can be suppressed, dimensional accuracy and surface flatness of the cured product can be maintained, and appearance defects can be suppressed. Further, since the molding die 10 having a relatively high thermal conductivity is used, it is possible to prevent external heat from being easily transferred to the ceramic casting liquid and to cure in a short time.

Further, in the molding method according to the present embodiment, it is preferable to use water as a solvent for the ceramic casting liquid. By using water, the cured product can be appropriately molded.

Further, it is preferable that the soluble resin of the molding die 10 contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, ABS resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polyester as a main component. By using such a material, it becomes possible to appropriately mold the cured product while appropriately suppressing damage to the cured product during demolding.

Further, as the non-aqueous solvent, it is preferable to use a solvent that can dissolve the soluble resin and does not dissolve the resin in the ceramic casting liquid. By using such a non-aqueous solvent, it is possible to appropriately mold the cured product while appropriately suppressing damage to the cured product during demolding.

Further, it is preferable that the heating temperature at which the resin in the ceramic casting liquid is cured is in the range of 30 ° C to 85 ° C. When the heating temperature is within this range, the ceramic casting liquid can be appropriately cured.

Further, in this molding method, it is preferable to dissolve the molding die 10 in a non-aqueous solvent in an environment of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. to demold the cured product. By setting the temperature at the time of demolding within this range, it is possible to suppress heating the cured product more than necessary and to manufacture an appropriate ceramic article.

Further, the molding die 10 includes, as the cavity C, a first cavity C1 having a shape in which the cured product has a desired shape, and an injection port 16a for communicating with the first cavity C1 and filling the ceramic casting liquid. It is preferable that the cavity C2 is formed and a constriction 18 is formed between the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2. In this case, in this molding method, starting from the portion corresponding to the constriction 18, the cured product is injected into the first cavity C1 and hardened (hardened body P1) and the cured product is injected into the second cavity C2 and cured. Further, it has a step of breaking into (cured body P2) and obtaining a cured body P1 having a desired shape, which is a portion injected into the first cavity C1 and cured. In this molding method, by filling the ceramic casting liquid up to the second cavity C2, even when the ceramic material is cured and shrunk, the ceramic material filled in the second cavity C2 is drawn into the first cavity C1. The dimensional accuracy of the cured product can be appropriately guaranteed. Further, the portion corresponding to the constriction 18 has a smaller diameter than the other portions and is easily broken. Therefore, the cured product P1 having a desired shape can be easily obtained by removing the cured product P2 filled in the second cavity C2 starting from the portion corresponding to the constriction 18.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a ceramic article according to the present embodiment, a step of drying a cured body obtained by the above-mentioned molding method of a ceramic material to form a molded body and a step of degreasing the molded body to form a degreased body. And the step of calcining the degreased body into a sintered body. According to this manufacturing method, since the above-mentioned molding method for ceramic materials is used, a ceramic article as a sintered body can be appropriately manufactured.

Further, the molding die 10 according to the present embodiment is formed of a soluble resin soluble in a non-aqueous solvent, and a ceramic material is filled therein to form a cavity C for obtaining a cured product having a desired shape. .. The molding die 10 has an elastic modulus of 500 MPa to 5000 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 0.05 W / mK to 0.40 W / mK. By using this molding die 10, it is possible to appropriately mold the cured product while suppressing damage to the cured product during demolding. Specifically, since the molding die 10 uses a member that can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent, it can be dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent and demolded, and the cured product can be demolded without applying stress. Damage can be suppressed. Further, since the molding die 10 having a high elastic modulus is used, deformation during injection and curing can be suppressed, dimensional accuracy and surface flatness of the cured product can be maintained, and appearance defects can be suppressed. Further, since the molding die 10 having a relatively high thermal conductivity is used, it is possible to prevent external heat from being easily transferred to the ceramic casting liquid and to cure in a short time.

The soluble resin of the molding die 10 preferably contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadie-Stylene) resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polyester as a main component. .. By using such a material, it becomes possible to appropriately mold the cured product while appropriately suppressing damage to the cured product during demolding.

The non-aqueous solvent preferably contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, d-limonene, acetone, and toluene as a main component. By using such a non-aqueous solvent, the molding die 10 can be appropriately dissolved and demolded.

It is preferable that the molding die 10 is composed of two or more divided bodies, and the divided bodies are fitted together to form the molding die 10. In the molding die 10, it is preferable that the thickness D2 in the normal direction of the portion where the divided bodies are fitted to each other is 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. By setting the thickness D2 in this range, it is possible to suppress the entry of outside air into the inside of the molding die 10 and appropriately manufacture the cured product. Further, when the thickness D2 is in this range, it is possible to prevent the thickness from becoming too thin and to secure the strength.

Further, the cavity C of the molding die 10 includes a first cavity C1 having a shape that makes the cured product a desired shape, and a second cavity C2 that includes an injection port 16a that communicates with the first cavity C1 and fills the ceramic material. It is preferable to include. The molding die 10 includes the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2, so that the cured product can be appropriately molded.

Further, the volume of the second cavity C2 is preferably 1% by volume to 5% by volume with respect to the volume of the first cavity C1. When the volume of the second cavity C2 is within this range, even when the ceramic material is cured and shrunk, the ceramic material filled in the second cavity C2 is drawn into the first cavity C1, and the dimensional accuracy of the cured body is appropriate. Can be secured to.

Further, it is preferable that the thickness D1 of the molding die 10 of the portion forming the first cavity C1 is 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm. When the thickness D1 is in this range, it can be appropriately melted at the time of demolding while maintaining the strength at the time of molding.

It is preferable that the arithmetic mean roughness Ra specified by JIS B 0601: 2001 on the inner surface of the molding die 10 of the portion forming the first cavity C1 is 0.01 μm or more and 5 μm or less. When the surface roughness of the inner surface of the first cavity C1 is within this range, the dimensional accuracy and surface flatness of the cured product can be ensured, and the appearance defect can be suppressed.

Further, it is preferable that the molding die 10 can be melt-molded. Since the molding die 10 can be molded by melt molding, the molding die 10 can be easily manufactured.

The ceramic article 100 according to the present embodiment is a sintered body of spherical ceramics, and a recess 102 is formed on the surface 100a along the circumferential direction R. The recess 102 has a depth of 1% or less with respect to the diameter D of the ceramic article 100. The ceramic article 100 according to the present embodiment is polished by forming the concave portion 102, as compared with the case where, for example, when the ceramic article 100 is polished, for example, convex portions are formed in all sections in the circumferential direction. The allowance can be reduced, the polishing process can be simplified, the life of the grindstone can be extended, and good properties can be obtained.

The width A2 of the recess 102 is preferably 1% or less with respect to the diameter D of the ceramic article 100. In the ceramic article 100 according to the present embodiment, when the concave portion 102 having such a width is formed, for example, when polishing the ceramic article 100, for example, when a convex portion is formed in the entire section in the circumferential direction, etc. The polishing allowance can be reduced, the polishing process can be simplified, and the life of the grindstone can be extended, resulting in good properties.

The recess 102 has a depth A1 of 0.1% or more and 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article 100, and a width A2 of 0.1% or more and 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article 100. It is preferable that the section has a length of 5% or more and not more than the entire circumference with respect to the entire circumference in the circumferential direction R of the ceramic article 100. In the ceramic article 100 according to the present embodiment, by forming the recess 102 having such a width, for example, when polishing the ceramic article 100, the polishing allowance can be reduced, the polishing process can be simplified, and the grindstone can be used. The life of the ceramic can be extended and the properties are good.

The diameter D of the ceramic article 100 is preferably 0.5 mm or more and 80 mm or less. When the diameter D is in this range, it can be suitably used for, for example, a bearing ball.

(Example)
Hereinafter, one aspect of the present invention will be described in more detail based on Examples, but the present invention is not construed as being limited to these Examples.

[Example 1]
(Preparation of slurry ab)
Silicon nitride powder (manufactured by Denka Co., Ltd., trade name SN-9FWS) 75.73 parts by mass, spinel powder 3.22 parts by mass as sintering aid, 19.36 parts by mass of water as solvent, fourth grade as dispersant 1.69 parts by mass of a 35% aqueous solution of ammonium salt (manufactured by Seichem) was mixed with a bead mill to prepare a silicon nitride slurry (slurry ab) as a base for the casting liquid.
In the bead mill, silicon nitride balls (manufactured by Nikkato Corporation, diameter 1 mm) were used as the pulverizing medium.

(Preparation and defoaming of slurry a1)
94.56 parts by mass of the above slurry ab and 5.44 parts by mass of a water-soluble epoxy resin (manufactured by Nagase ChemteX Corporation) are mixed by a rotating and revolving mixer equipped with a vacuum pump, and an epoxy resin-containing silicon nitride slurry (slurry a1) is mixed. ) Was prepared.
By the reduced pressure treatment (0.6 kPa), the slurry a1 did not contain bubbles of 10 μm or more.

(Preparation and defoaming of slurry a2)
A vacuum pump is installed with 99.19 parts by mass of the above slurry ab and 0.81 parts by mass of a curing agent (a mixture of triethylenetetramine and 2,4,6-tris (dimethylaminomethyl) phenol in a mass ratio of 2: 1). A silicon nitride slurry (slurry a2) containing a curing agent was prepared by mixing with a rotating and revolving mixer.
By the reduced pressure treatment (0.6 kPa), the slurry a2 did not contain bubbles of 10 μm or more.

(Casting)
The slurry a1 was filled in the slurry tank 1 and the slurry a2 was filled in the slurry tank 2 so as to have the same volume. Subsequently, using two rotary positive displacement diaphragm pumps manufactured by Takumina Co., Ltd. equipped with a precision constant velocity cam that does not generate pulsation and does not generate air entrainment, slurry a1 and slurry from slurry tank 1 and slurry tank 2, respectively. The a2 was sucked and discharged, and the liquid was sent to an in-line mixer (trade name: static mixer) manufactured by Noritake Company via a pipe for merging the slurry a1 and the slurry a2.

Using an in-line mixer, the mixture was mixed to obtain a casting liquid A containing an epoxy resin and a curing agent, and the casting liquid A was supplied to a polystyrene molding mold connected to the outlet side of the in-line mixer and filled. The polystyrene molding mold of Example 1 had an elastic modulus of 2500 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 0.12 [W / mK].

The polystyrene molding die used here has the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is a molding die having a spherical cavity inside. The polystyrene molded mold is made of impact-resistant polystyrene, has a wall thickness of 1.6 mm, and has a cavity having a diameter of 62.4 mm. The inlet is a two-piece mold provided with one opening with a diameter of 6.0 mm. The impact-resistant polystyrene constituting the polystyrene molding mold has a flexural modulus of 2500 MPa. The two-divided mold has the shape shown in FIG. 2 by combining the openings in advance and attaching the tape from the outside while pressing the mold. In the polystyrene molding mold of Example 1, the volume of the second cavity C2 was 0.3% with respect to the volume of the first cavity C1.

(Curing)
In the polystyrene molding mold 1 filled with the casting liquid A, the epoxy resin and the curing agent were reacted in a constant temperature bath kept at 50 ° C. for 3.5 hours to be cured.

(Demolding)
The polystyrene molding mold 1 was immersed in methylene chloride at room temperature (25 ° C.), the polystyrene molding mold 1 was dissolved in methylene chloride and demolded, and the spherically cured silicon nitride cured product A was taken out.

(Dry)
The demolded silicon nitride cured product (1) has a temperature of 50 ° C. and a relative humidity of 90 in order to suppress the occurrence of cracks due to rapid drying (cracks due to shrinkage stress due to the difference in drying speed between the surface of the sphere and the inside of the sphere). It was allowed to stand for 3 days and dried in a constant temperature bath controlled to gradually decrease from% to 10%.

(Degreasing)
The silicon nitride molded product (1) obtained by drying is heated from room temperature to 600 ° C. over 3 days in an air atmosphere, held at 600 ° C. for 3 hours, and contained in the silicon nitride molded product (1). The cured resin component was burned down and degreased.

(Baking)
The degreased silicon nitride molded product (1) was calcined in a nitrogen atmosphere at 1700 ° C. and a holding time of 7 hours. After this firing, a spherical silicon nitride sintered body (1) was obtained.

(HIP)
Further, the silicon nitride sintered body (1) was subjected to HIP (hot isotropic pressing) at 1700 ° C. under a pressure of 100 MPa using nitrogen gas as a pressure medium and a holding time of 5 hours. After HIP, a dense spherical silicon nitride sintered body (1) having a density of 3.2 g / cm ³ was obtained. The diameter of the dense spherical silicon nitride sintered body was 50 mm.

[Example 2]
A styrofoam mold divided into two parts was used. The outer shape is 102.4 mm spherical and the internal cavity is spherical with a diameter of 62.4 mm. The thickness was set to 20 mm in order to suppress deformation due to the weight of the slurry. The upper and lower molds were combined and joined by attaching tape from the outside of the joint. Since the curing requires time for the temperature of the slurry to rise, it was allowed to stand in a constant temperature bath at 50 ° C. for 48 hours. Other than that, it was carried out in the same manner as in [Example 1]. The Styrofoam type of Example 2 had an elastic modulus of 7.5 MPa and a thermal conductivity of 0.03 [W / mK].

[Example 3]
Casting, curing, and demolding were performed in the same manner as in [Example 1] except that the volume of the second cavity C2 was 2.5% by volume with respect to the volume of the first cavity C1.

[evaluation]
Each example was evaluated. As an evaluation, the surface texture of the molded product was confirmed for the five molded products. It was judged whether it was flat without any unevenness visually and whether the unevenness could be confirmed. From the surface texture (unevenness) visually evaluated in this evaluation, the concave portion formed in the circumferential direction was excluded from the judgment.
As the second evaluation, the curing time was also evaluated. The curing time was measured during the molding of the five molded bodies. It was determined whether the curing time was within 4 hours or longer than 4 hours.
Further, it was confirmed whether or not a dent was generated in the connecting portion between the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2 for the five molded bodies. Those that were visually dented from the extension surface of the molded body sphere were considered to have dents. The denominator in Table 1 is the total number of compacts, and the numerator is the number of compacts with dents.

[Evaluation results]
Table 1 is a table showing the evaluation results of each example.
In Examples 1 to 3 of Examples, recesses along the circumferential direction were formed.
In Examples 1 and 3, the surface texture is flat and the curing time is 4 hours or less. Example 2 does not satisfy at least one of the flat surface texture and the curing time of 4 hours or less. Therefore, it can be said that Examples 1 and 3 are more preferable.
For example, Example 3 had a good surface texture and could be cured in a short time. Further, no dent was formed between the first cavity C1 and the second cavity C2 used as the injection port. In Example 2, unevenness was observed on the surface. Furthermore, it took a long time to cure. Example 1 had good surface texture and curing time.

The difference in diameter of the sintered body obtained in Example 3 was 0.3 mm. That is, it was found that the diameter difference between the five molded bodies having the largest diameter and the one having the smallest diameter was 0.3 mm, which was a good one.

[Confirmation of recess]
A CT image of the spherical silicon nitride sintered body obtained in Example 1 was taken and observed. As a result, it was confirmed that the depth A1 (see FIG. 8) was 0.5 mm (1% of the diameter) or less and the concave portion along the circumferential direction was formed. The concave portion of Example 1 having a depth A1 having a diameter of 1% or less could not be visually confirmed as a concave portion (unevenness).

As described above, it can be seen that when a molded product is produced using the molding mold and method of the present embodiment, the shape accuracy is good, the surface texture is good, and the curing time is short, so that the productivity is high.

Although the embodiments and examples of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are not limited by the contents of the embodiments and the embodiments. Further, the above-mentioned components include those that can be easily assumed by those skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, that is, those in a so-called equal range. Further, the above-mentioned components can be combined as appropriate. Further, various omissions, replacements or changes of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the above-described embodiment.

10 Molding mold 12 1st divided body 14 2nd divided body 16 Injection port 100 Ceramic article 100a Surface 102 Recessed C cavity C1 1st cavity C2 2nd cavity

Claims

A spherical ceramic article that is a sintered body of ceramics.
The surface has recesses along the circumferential direction,
The recess has a depth of 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article.
Ceramic articles.
The ceramic article according to claim 1, wherein the width of the recess is 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article.
The recess has a section having a depth of 0.1% or more and 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article and a width of 0.1% or more and 1% or less with respect to the diameter of the ceramic article. The ceramic article according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ceramic article is present for a length of 5% or more and the entire circumference or less with respect to the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the ceramic article.
The ceramic article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ceramic article has a diameter of 0.5 mm or more and 80 mm or less.
Steps to prepare a ceramic casting liquid to be a ceramic material by mixing ceramic powder, sintering aid, resin, curing agent and solvent.
The step of injecting the ceramic casting liquid into a molding mold that is soluble in a non-aqueous solvent and has a cavity inside,
A step of curing the ceramic casting liquid injected into the molding mold to obtain a cured product having a desired shape.
The step of dissolving the molding die in the non-aqueous solvent to demold the cured product, and
Including
The molding die is formed of a soluble resin soluble in the non-aqueous solvent, has an elastic modulus of 500 [MPa] to 5000 [MPa], and has a thermal conductivity of 0.05 [W / mK] to 0. 40 [W / mK],
Molding method for ceramic materials.
The method for molding a ceramic material according to claim 5, wherein water is used as the solvent.
15. Item 6. The method for molding a ceramic material according to Item 6.
The ceramic material according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein as the non-aqueous solvent, a solvent capable of dissolving the soluble resin and not dissolving the resin in the ceramic casting liquid is used. Molding method.
The method for molding a ceramic material according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the heating temperature for curing the resin is in the range of 30 ° C to 85 ° C.
The ceramic material according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the molded product is dissolved in the non-aqueous solvent to demold the cured product in an environment of 10 ° C. to 40 ° C. Molding method.
The molding die has a second cavity as the cavity, which includes a first cavity having a shape in which the cured product has a desired shape, and an injection port that communicates with the first cavity and fills the ceramic casting liquid. And has a constriction between the first cavity and the second cavity.
The cured body was broken into a portion cured in the first cavity and a portion cured in the second cavity starting from the portion corresponding to the constriction, and the portion cured in the first cavity. Further having a step of obtaining a cured product having a desired shape,
The method for molding a ceramic material according to any one of claims 5 to 10.
A step of drying the cured product obtained by the method for molding a ceramic material according to any one of claims 5 to 11 to obtain a molded product.
A step of degreasing the molded body to make a degreased body, a step of firing the degreased body to make a sintered body, and a step of forming the sintered body.
A method for manufacturing a ceramic article, including.
Contains a soluble resin that dissolves in non-aqueous solvents
The inside is filled with a ceramic material and has a cavity for obtaining a cured product having a desired shape.
The elastic modulus is 500 [MPa] to 5000 [MPa], and the thermal conductivity is 0.05 [W / mK] to 0.40 [W / mK].
Molding mold.
13. The thirteenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the soluble resin contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Stylene) resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, and polyester as a main component. Molding mold.
The molding die according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the non-aqueous solvent contains at least one material selected from the group consisting of methylene chloride, d-limonene, acetone, and toluene as a main component.
It is composed of two or more divided bodies, and the divided bodies are fitted together to form the molding die.
The molding die according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the thickness of the portion where the divided bodies are fitted together in the normal direction is 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
13. The cavity comprises a first cavity having a shape that makes the cured product have the desired shape, and a second cavity that communicates with the first cavity and includes an injection port for filling the ceramic material. The molding die according to any one of claims 16.
The molding die according to claim 17, wherein the volume of the second cavity is 0.5% by volume to 5% by volume with respect to the volume of the first cavity.
The molding die according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the thickness of the molding die of the portion forming the first cavity is 0.5 mm to 3.0 mm.
17. The molding die described.
The molding die according to any one of claims 13 to 20, which can be melt-molded.