Sintering aids

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein include a sintering aid composition that has a material useful for sintering, an amine, and optionally a carboxylic acid.

1 . A sintering aid composition comprising:
 a. at least one material useful for sintering;   b. at least one amine; and   c. optionally at least one carboxylic acid.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one material useful for sintering comprises a boron compound. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one material useful for sintering comprises a boric acid. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one material useful for sintering is selected from the group consisting of yttrium, magnesium, lanthanum, barium, copper, compounds thereof, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises an amine in a salt form. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises tetraethylenepentamine. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine comprises an alkyl amine. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one amine is selected from the group consisting of: an ethyleneamine, an ethanolamine, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one carboxylic acid comprises neodecanoic acid. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one carboxylic acid comprises a carboxylic acid with two or more carbons atoms. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the at least one carboxylic acid comprises a fatty acid. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the molar ratio of the at least one amine to the at least one material useful for sintering is from about 0.1:1 to about 1:0.1. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the molar ratio of the at least one amine to the at least one material useful for sintering is about 1:0.5. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the sintering aid composition is in a phase selected from the group consisting of: a mixture, an aqueous solution, an emulsion, a dispersion, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the sintering aid composition is water miscible. 
     
     
         16 . A method for sintering a ceramic article comprising the steps of:
 a. providing an inorganic powder and a sintering aid composition, wherein the sintering aid composition comprises at least one material useful for sintering, at least one amine; and optionally at least one carboxylic acid;   b. contacting the inorganic powder and the sintering aid composition to form a green body; and   c. firing the green body.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the green body further comprises water, at least one binder, at least one deflocculant, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the inorganic powder comprises SiC. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of contacting the inorganic powder and a sintering aid composition to form a green body further comprises:
 a. providing a second material useful for sintering; and   b. contacting the inorganic powder, the sintering aid composition, and the second material useful for sintering to form the green body.   
     
     
         20 . A method for pressure casting a ceramic article comprising the steps of:
 a. providing an inorganic powder and a sintering aid composition, wherein the sintering aid composition comprises at least one material useful for sintering, at least one amine; and optionally at least one carboxylic acid;   b. contacting the inorganic powder and the sintering aid composition to form a green body;   c. casting the green body under pressure; and   d. firing the green body.