Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Firing in the Thick Film Process


After the paste is screened onto the substrate, it is commissioned to level for 5 to 15 minutes at room temperature, followed by oven drying at 100°C to 150°C for another 10 to 15 minutes.  Firing takes place in continuous furnaces.     

Air-fired and nitrogen-fired systems are more commonly used.  In the initial firing phase (200°C to 500°C), organic resins are burned off in the burnout zone.  In air-fired systems, the polymer decomposes by simple oxidation.  The byproducts of the burnout zone are primarily CO2 and H2O, as well as, lightweight fly ash.  In the nitrogen-fired system, cleavage of the polymer at the ethyl groups and dehydrogenation take place.  This produces a complex mixture of polymers, monomers, and gases that burn off as gases, vapors, and droplets.     


As the climate rises to peak firing temperature, metal particles begin to sinter, glass frits begin to soften and flow, and a film is gradually formed.  The material is held at peak temperature for 10 minutes then cooled down.  After it cools down, pastes are formed firmly onto the substrate.  The entire cycle lasts for about 30 to 60 minutes.  



for more info go to http://www.beltfurnaces.com


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