Printed carbon nanotube and graphene heaters for drying ceramics

The ceramic manufacturing process has been subject to many advances with the evolution of new technologies. However, there are still some delays and losses in the fundamental process which may be mitigated by deploying alternative technical tools and methods. One such stage is the sensitive pre-drying phase in which ceramic bodies can sustain drying defects such as micro-cracking and fractures due to lack of fine process control. This project investigates the feasibility of using Longwave infrared (LWIR) radiation emitted by a printed Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene (CNTG) heater for pre-drying a clay sample. The CNTG heater emits infrared radiation with a relatively low DC voltage power supply. By radiant heat transfer, homogeneous and uniform drying has been observed in the sample. The penetrative capability of the infrared energy which warms the inside of the sample is presented, as along with the results of comparing the CNTG heater with a silicone mat heater that also emits infrared radiation. The study establishes that the CNTG heater is not only capable of reducing the lead time of ceramics drying using penetrative IR, but also as an efficient and versatile option that can be economically deployed in the pre-drying stage of a ceramic manufacturing process.