TY - CONF A1 - Mieller, Björn A1 - Rabe, Torsten T1 - Design and fabrication of ceramic springs N2 - Ceramic springs offer versatile possibilities for load bearing or sensor applications in challenging environments. Although it may appear unexpected, a wide range of spring constants can be implemented by material selection and especially by the design of the spring. Based on a rectangular cross-section of the windings, it is possible to design a spring geometry that generates the desired spring constant simply by choosing appropriate diameter, height, widths, and number of windings. In a recent research project the calculation of helical compression springs made of rectangular steel (German standard DIN 2090) was applied for the design of ceramic springs. A manufacturing technology has been worked out to fabricate such springs from hollow cylinders of several highly dense technical ceramics by milling. Ceramic springs with precise rectangular section, without edge damage, and mean surface roughness smaller than 0.2 µm were produced after parameter optimization. Tolerances of less than 10 µm were achieved regarding spring diameter, height, and width of cross section. It is shown that the calculations outlined in the standard are valid for a variety of ceramic materials as well. Demonstrator springs with a wide range of spring constants have been fabricated, including zirconia springs with 0.02 N/mm, alumina springs with 1 N/mm and Si3N4 springs with 5 N/mm. A reproducibility study of six zirconia springs with a constant of 0.3 N/mm showed a relative difference in spring constants of less than +/- 1 %. This combination of a valid calculation approach for spring geometry and a reliable manufacturing technology allows for purposeful development and fabrication of ceramic springs with precise mechanical properties and superior chemical stability. T2 - EUROMAT 2019 CY - Stockholm, Sweden DA - 01.09.2019 KW - Ceramic spring KW - Hard machining KW - Spring constant PY - 2019 AN - OPUS4-48870 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Mieller, Björn A1 - Schulz, Bärbel A1 - Rabe, Torsten T1 - Tailoring the spring constant of ceramic helical compression springs N2 - Ceramic springs combine attractive properties for applications in machinery, metrology, and sensor technology. They are electrically insulating, non-magnetic, provide a linear stress-strain behavior, and are stable at high temperatures and in corrosive environments. Generally, the precise dimensioning of a ceramic spring with respect to the spring constant is challenging. Different models are described, but many of these calculations do not match the actual spring properties. We demonstrate a reliable approach for the dimensioning and manufacturing of helical compression springs with a rectangular winding cross-section. Based on the German standard DIN 2090, which is referring to metallic springs, the spring constant can be calculated based on shear modulus, diameter, height, widths, and number of windings. Different ceramic springs were produced by milling of sintered hollow cylinders of zirconia, alumina and silicon nitride. The experimental spring constants are in very good agreement with the calculated values. Spring constants of zirconia springs were varied over three orders of magnitude between 0.02 N/mm and 5 N/mm by purposeful adaption of the spring geometry. The combination of dimensioning based on DIN 2090 and precise hard machining offers a reliable technology for the fabrication of tailored ceramic springs for special applications. T2 - 45th International Conference and Exhibition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC 2021) CY - Online meeting DA - 08.02.2021 KW - Ceramics KW - Hard machining KW - Spring constant PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52136 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -