Spinel Oxide Sintered Body Densification at 600°C or Lower

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing high-density sintered bodies of metal oxides with a spinel-type structure require high temperatures, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method involving mixing metal oxide particles with metal acetylacetonate and heating under pressure at a temperature of the melting point or higher of the acetylacetonate and 600°C or lower to form a high-density sintered body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If high-temperature sintering (800°C or higher) is used to achieve high density of metal oxide particles, then the density and strength of the sintered body are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedensityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the sintering temperature parameter from conventional high temperature (800°C or higher) to low temperature (600°C or lower) by introducing metal acetylacetonate as a sintering aid. This parameter change enables the formation of high-density sintered bodies at reduced temperatures, directly resolving the contradiction between density improvement and manufacturing cost reduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Metal acetylacetonate serves as an intermediary substance that facilitates low-temperature sintering. It forms a eutectic mixture with the metal oxide particles, creating a liquid phase that enables particle bonding at lower temperatures. This intermediary allows the sintering process to occur at 600°C or lower while still achieving high density, thus resolving the cost-density contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If conventional sintering methods are used for metal oxide particles with spinel-type structure, then high density can be achieved, but the sintering temperature must be very high (800°C or higher)

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedensityVSAvoidsintering temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transition by forming a eutectic liquid phase between metal acetylacetonate and metal oxide particles during sintering. This liquid phase forms at temperatures of 600°C or lower, enabling particle bonding and densification through liquid-phase sintering mechanisms rather than solid-state diffusion, thus achieving high density at reduced temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system consisting of metal oxide particles and metal acetylacetonate. This composite approach allows the acetylacetonate to modify the sintering behavior of the metal oxide, enabling low-temperature processing while maintaining the structural integrity and high density of the final sintered body

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables the production of high-density and high-strength sintered bodies at lower temperatures, with an amorphous phase acting as an adhesive layer to prevent peeling and enhance structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

heating the mixture under pressure at a temperature of a melting point or higher of the metal acetylacetonate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

an amorphous phase interposed among the first plurality of particles of the metal oxide, the amorphous phase containing at least one metal element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

heating the mixture under pressure at a temperature of a melting point or higher of the metal acetylacetonate and 600°C or lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentEP4678616A1Method for manufacturing sintered body, structure, and composite structure
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP4678616A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4678616A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4678616A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a sintered body, the method including heating a mixture that contains a plurality of particles of a metal oxide having a spinel-type structure, and a metal acetylacetonate under pressure at a temperature of a melting point or higher of the metal acetylacetonate and 600°C or lower, to form a sintered body that contains the metal oxide having the spinel-type structure. Further, the present invention provides a structure manufactured by the method, and a composite structure formed by joining the structure and a base material together with a joining layer.