Capabilities

   The laboratory facility holds areas and equipment for slip processing, slip characterization, tape casting, green tape characterization, punching/blanking, laminating, sintering, and fired substrate/laminate evaluation.

   Batching is typically done in grinding jars with milling media in order to prepare a homogeneous slurry. A variety of jars/media are used, such as alumina, high-alumina, zirconia, HDPE, polypropylene, etc. Batch sizes for each casting run start at 500 grams and above. Doctor blades up to 12 inches in width are used in the casting of the slurry. With continuous processing, several hundred linear feet of tape can be produced in a single run. The cast is evaluated on-the-fly for any modifications that need to be done. The green tape is observed for defects after the cast and properties such as green tape thickness and density are measured. The tape is then sent to the customer for further evaluation. Our laboratory has equipment to test samples of each cast in order to laminate the tape. Test samples can also be fired to determine the proper sintering schedule.

   Whether your objective is research or production oriented, Maryland Tape Casting can meet your tape requirements. Research and development is done daily to formulate and optimize tape casting recipes and process steps. Batch and continuous casts are available in sizes ranging from .001” - .200” thick with compositions ranging from Alumina to Zirconia and everything in between.