Abstract: Rapid sintering techniques for densifying zirconium dioxide based ceramic materials employing electromagnetic induction heating or inductive coupled plasma, reducing processing time from hours to minutes. In one embodiment a water-cooled coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply. The coil surrounds a susceptor body which in turn surrounds the ceramic to be sintered. The susceptor heats up in response to a magnetic field emanating from the coil as the coil receives electric power. The heat in turn is radiated from the susceptor and heats the ceramic. In another embodiment, the coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply of sufficiently high frequency and power to establish a plasma in the gas which surrounds the ceramic. The plasma then heats the ceramic. The method is especially useful for sintering ceramic dental appliances, in minutes which can lead to in situ fabrication of such appliances while a dental patient waits.

Abstract: Rapid sintering techniques for densifying zirconium dioxide based ceramic materials employing electromagnetic induction heating or inductive coupled plasma, reducing processing time from hours to minutes. In one embodiment a water-cooled coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply. The coil surrounds a susceptor body which in turn surrounds the ceramic to be sintered. The susceptor heats up in response to a magnetic field emanating from the coil as the coil receives electric power. The heat in turn is radiated from the susceptor and heats the ceramic. In another embodiment, the coil is connected to a radio frequency power supply of sufficiently high frequency and power to establish a plasma in the gas which surrounds the ceramic. The plasma then heats the ceramic. The method is especially useful for sintering ceramic dental appliances, in minutes which can lead to in situ fabrication of such appliances while a dental patient waits.