Measurement of the Thermophysical Properties of a Thermoplastic Ceramic Paste Across its Solidification Range Using Power-Compensated Differential Scanning Calorimeter

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 88; no. 11; pp. 3116 - 3124
• Main Authors: Barker, Dean A., Ian Wilson, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Inc 01.11.2005; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramics; Chemical industry and chemicals; Differential scanning calorimetry; Exact sciences and technology; General studies; Solidification; Technical ceramics; Temperature effects; Thermoplastics; Differential scanning calorimetry; Green properties; Ceramic body; Heat capacity; Thermal diffusivity; Experimental study; Oxide ceramics; Solidification; Thermal conductivity; Technical ceramics; Zinc oxide; Manufacturing; Thermophysical properties
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2005.00568.x

The specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity of a thermoplastic ceramic paste were investigated on a power‐compensated, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) using the heat capacity spectral analysis method developed by Merzlyakov and Schick for measuring these parameters on low thermal conductivity solids. The paste features an ultra‐fine zinc oxide powder (a number‐length mean diameter, D1,0, of 85 nm) as the discrete phase, and a thermoplastic continuous phase comprising a blend of organic waxes with a melting range of ca. 30°–70°C. This paste is formulated with a solids loading of 50 vol% and is currently used in a novel continuous casting process to manufacture pharmaceutical products. The properties of the paste were investigated over a temperature range encompassing the melt and solid states, and for solid loadings from 0 to 70 vol%. The results compare favorably with those obtained using transient line source and transient plane methods.