CPC B28B 11/243 (2013.01) [B32B 27/32 (2013.01); C04B 35/115 (2013.01); C04B 35/486 (2013.01); C04B 35/638 (2013.01); C04B 35/64 (2013.01); C04B 2235/3225 (2013.01); C04B 2235/6025 (2013.01); C04B 2235/612 (2013.01); C04B 2235/65 (2013.01); C04B 2235/656 (2013.01); C04B 2235/9615 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A method of manufacturing ceramic, comprising:
advancing a tape through a manufacturing system, the tape including a first portion having grains of polycrystalline ceramic bound by an organic binder; and
preparing the tape for sintering at a station of the manufacturing system that receives the first portion of the tape, by chemically changing the organic binder and/or removing the organic binder from the first portion of the tape, leaving the grains of the polycrystalline ceramic, to form a second portion of the tape,
wherein the preparing comprises charring or burning at least most of the organic binder, in terms of weight, from the first portion of the tape without sintering the grains of polycrystalline ceramic, and
wherein the station comprises an active heater that includes heating zones such that a rate of heat energy received by the tape increases as the tape advances through the station.
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