Sintering dense NiZn ferrite by two-step sintering process

Abstract

A two-step sintering process has been adopted to produce NiZn ferrite with composition of (NiO)0.35(ZnO)0.57(CuO)0.08(Fe2O3). The densification, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the ferrite have been investigated and compared with those of ferrites produced by the traditional final-stage sintering process. It was found that the sample produced by a two-step sintering process with a high temperature of 1200 °C and a lower temperature of 1100 °C attained more than 96% of the theoretical density and had a uniform microstructure with a small average grain size. It also exhibited good performances in terms of permeability and Q-factor. Hence, this would seem to be an effective method for producing dense ferrites with a microstructure composed of small and even grains, which is a very effective strategy for improving the magnetic properties of ferrites.