Precision Ceramics has strengthened its advanced ceramics capabilities with the installation of a new gas pressure sintering furnace from FCT Systeme GmbH at its Birmingham, UK facility. The investment supports Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) production, providing advanced high-temperature processing capabilities for in house production. Precision Ceramics now have the whole process in house; pressing from powder, green machining, pressure sintering, hot isostatically pressing, and diamond grinding.
The new FCT FP W 90 furnace offers controlled gas atmospheres, vacuum processing and Nitrogen operating pressures of up to 100 bar (10 MPa). With a usable furnace volume of 90 litres, the system provides a versatile platform for developing and evaluating sintering processes for advanced non oxide ceramics.
The furnace has been installed at Precision Ceramics’ Birmingham facility and is currently producing final test samples for material property evaluation, with Silicon Nitride as the initial focus.
Expanding In-House Silicon Nitride Manufacturing Capabilities
Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) is a high-performance engineering ceramic recognised for its combination of mechanical strength, fracture toughness, wear resistance and thermal shock/gradient capability.
These properties make Silicon Nitride suitable for demanding engineering applications, including components exposed to high temperatures, thermal cycling / shock, mechanical loading and challenging operating conditions.
However, the performance of Silicon Nitride depends not only on its chemical composition but also on the manufacturing processes used to produce it.
Sintering is a critical stage in ceramic production, during which shaped ceramic component is heated under carefully controlled conditions to promote densification and develop the required microstructure.
The new furnace allows Precision Ceramics to produce Silicon Nitride products under controlled processing conditions and evaluate their resulting material properties.
This testing and development work will help build a deeper understanding of how processing parameters influence material characteristics and support the continued development of Precision Ceramics’ Silicon Nitride capabilities.
FCT Systeme Gas Pressure Sintering Furnace: Technical Capabilities
The furnace was supplied by FCT Systeme GmbH, a German manufacturer specialising in high-temperature furnace systems and advanced sintering technologies.
The FCT FP W 90 is a multi purpose furnace, combining high-temperature operation with controlled nitrogen and argon atmospheres, vacuum capability and elevated gas pressure.
FCT FP W 90 Furnace Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Manufacturer | FCT Systeme GmbH |
| Furnace model | FP W 90 |
| Maximum operating pressure | 100 bar (10 MPa) |
| Working temperature | Up to 2,000°C at 10 MPa nitrogen |
| Nominal temperature without overpressure | 2,200°C |
| Usable furnace volume | 90 litres |
| Usable processing space | Ø 350 × 800 mm |
| Working atmospheres | Nitrogen (N₂) and Argon (Ar) |
| Vacuum capability | Yes |
| Batch capability | Multiple component batches |
These specifications describe the furnace’s technical capabilities. Actual processing conditions depend on the material, sintering cycle and testing requirements.
The combination of temperature, pressure and atmosphere control provides flexibility for investigating different sintering conditions to develop the most suitable material properties for end user applications.
The furnace can accommodate multiple component batches for several customer applications to reduce sintering costs and production lead times.
What Is Gas Pressure Sintering of Silicon Nitride?
Gas pressure sintering (GPS) is an advanced ceramic processing technique that combines elevated temperatures with a controlled inert gas atmosphere and increased gas pressure during the sintering cycle.
Why Is Nitrogen Pressure Important in Silicon Nitride Sintering?
For Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄), nitrogen pressure plays an important role in the sintering process.
At elevated temperatures, Silicon Nitride can undergo thermal decomposition. Increasing the nitrogen pressure helps suppress this decomposition, allowing processing at the high temperatures required for densification.
Gas pressure sintering can therefore provide advantages when developing dense Silicon Nitride ceramics with carefully controlled microstructures.
The final properties of a sintered Silicon Nitride component depend on several interacting factors, including:
- Starting powder characteristics and composition.
- Sintering additives and material formulation.
- Processing temperature and heating cycle.
- Nitrogen pressure and furnace atmosphere.
- Cooling conditions and resulting microstructure.
By producing and evaluating samples under different processing conditions, manufacturers can investigate the relationships between these variables and the resulting material properties.
For Precision Ceramics, the new furnace provides an additional technical resource for conducting development work and evaluating Silicon Nitride processing methods for production.
A Platform for Advanced Ceramic Research and Future Development
Although Silicon Nitride is the initial focus, the furnace is capable of processing a range of advanced ceramic materials, including selected nitrides and carbides.
Silicon Carbide (SiC) is identified as a potential subsequent area of development.
The ability to operate under different atmospheres, pressure conditions and temperature profiles makes the furnace a flexible platform for future material investigations.
At this stage, the furnace is being commissioned through sample production and material property testing in preparation for commercial production. This development phase will provide technical information to inform subsequent decisions about materials, processes and manufacturing applications.
The investment forms part of Precision Ceramics’ continued focus on developing its technical expertise and advanced ceramic processing capabilities.
Precision Ceramics and FCT Systeme: Specialist Manufacturing Expertise
The installation brings together Precision Ceramics’ knowledge of advanced ceramic materials and component manufacturing with FCT Systeme’s expertise in high-temperature processing equipment.
The new FCT Systeme installation provides Precision Ceramics with access to this technology at its UK facility, supporting practical material development and testing activities.
“This investment is an important step forward in our ability to develop and manufacture specialist Silicon Nitride materials. Having gas pressure sintering capabilities in-house gives us greater control over the entire development process, from material formulation through to testing and validation. Our focus is on developing high-performance ceramic grades with improved strength and reliability, while working more closely with customers to create materials tailored to their specific applications.”
— Dr. Lucian Falticeanu, Director of Technology, Precision Ceramics
Explore Precision Ceramics Silicon Nitride Materials and Components
Precision Ceramics supplies advanced Silicon Nitride materials and precision-engineered ceramic components for demanding industrial applications.
The ongoing development and testing work at its Birmingham facility reflects the company’s commitment to expanding its technical understanding of high-performance ceramic materials.
To explore Silicon Nitride’s properties, available grades, engineering applications and component capabilities, visit our Silicon Nitride material page.
For material selection advice, technical enquiries or component manufacturing requirements, contact Precision Ceramics.
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Silicon Nitride
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Precision Ceramics offers a wide range of advanced ceramic materials. We can help with the engineering tolerances, design for manufacture, selection of the materials, and application environment questions.
