Sintering characteristics of nano-ceramic coatings

This paper concentrates on sintering characteristics of nano-sized ceramic SiO2 particles. The sintering process is studied as a function of temperature using a conventional furnace and using a laser beam. The underlying idea is to combine the nanoceramic sol-gel concept with inkjet technology and laser treatment. A solution containing nano-sized ceramic particles is fed to an inkjet nozzle that generates a software-controlled pattern on a surface. Afterwards the drops are exposed to an intense laser beam that gives rise to drying and densification of the drops, thereby forming a sintered ceramic layer. The question addressed in the paper is whether the laser treatment leads to the same densified layers as obtained with conventional heat treatments. It turns out that the morphologies are similar but that laser treatment provides much faster the same results.