Admixed binders and lubricants in ceramic powder pressing-A study of zinc behenate additive

Admixed lubricants are used to bring down compaction and ejection pressures, and to increase packing efficiency in ceramic powder pressing. Admixed binders are used for increasing green strength of the compact. The stronger and denser green compacts so obtained, sinter to high densities without defects and with minimal shrinkage, leading to very high acceptance rates in large scale production. Zinc behenate powder has been used as a lubricant cum binder for uranium dioxide with very good results. Green density versus compaction pressure has been obtained. Weight loss with temperature of free and admixed zinc behenate and carbon and zinc loss in admixed compact and other data are presented. On the other hand, the use of zinc behenate could lead to bloating and high nitrogen values in sintered uranium dioxide under some conditions of processing, which have been identified.