Shaping better

German researchers from theFraunhofer Institute For CeramicTechnologies, have developed a 'hotmoulding' technique for mouldingthermoplastics. According to thescientists, this technology is simplerand cheaper than injection mould-ing. The technique involves mixingceramic powder with waxes andparaffins that melt at low temperatures. The concoction is thenwarmed slightly and pressed intothe mould at low pressure. After themixture hardens, the binding agentis removed by evaporation and laterfired at high temperatures.