Morgan Advanced Materials conducts first real-time ceramic sintering research supported by Diamond Light Source

Utilising the same equipment that is unravelling the mysteries of the Herculaneum Scrolls, Morgan has completed high temperature x-ray diffraction research, with the hope of further understanding the firing behaviour of alumina ceramics at the critical point of sintering.

The Morgan Technical Ceramics team based at Stourport, UK used the high precision X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) facilities at Diamond Light Source to complete XRD research on one of their main Alumina grades. This is the first time in the company’s history where real time analysis has been completed through the sintering temperature range for ceramic materials.

The research itself was conducted during 2024 over two ‘beam time’ sessions; the first of which was supported by Dr Bob Oscroft, Technical Manager at Morgan Technical Ceramics and Dr. Yi Cui, Senior Materials Engineer at Morgan Technical Ceramics, on the equipment at Diamond. The diffractometer equipment used in the sessions gathers data at an accelerated rate; 30 minutes beam time on this equipment would be the equivalent of one month’s acquisition time on other XRD machines. The Diamond team used their extensive knowledge and database to analyse the data collected by the beam time and the results were reported towards the end of 2024.

“This project with Morgan perfectly illustrates the kind of work STFC’s Industry Impact Fund supports. Through the fund, we give companies like Morgan access to powerful analytical techniques and world-class facilities, including those at the Diamond Light Source. We’re delighted with the project’s outcomes and the impact it has delivered for Morgan”.

Dr Ric Allott, Director of Business Development and Incubation, Science and Technology Facilities Council

The purpose of the research was to see what phases are formed through the sintering temperature range of a grade of our Alumina, with the aim of understanding the sintering behaviour in relation to temperature. These findings will enable Morgan to optimise their processes, without compromising the material performance.

Dr. Yi Cui commented; “The results have uncovered a new phase which appears during the sintering process, and this has underpinned our understanding of the firing temperature limit which has to be applied to this material”.

Morgan’s research was made possible thanks to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Government funding. Morgan applied for funding directly from the Science and Technology Facilities Council of the UKRI, which manages government funding for research and innovation across the UK. 

Morgan Advanced Materials would like to thank the Science and Technology Facilities Council of the UKRI, and Diamond Light Source for their support of this research project.

About Morgan Advanced Materials

Established in 1856, we have a proven track record in delivering for our customers, underpinned by more than 160 years of innovation. We employ approximately 8,600 people worldwide, across 60 operating sites serving a diverse range of customers across a range of end-markets. We are a purpose-driven organisation. Our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable and improve the quality of life. Our purpose is at the heart and soul of everything we do; it is the driving force behind how we advance our business, our technology and our people.

About Diamond Light Source

Diamond Light Source provides industrial and academic user communities with access to state-of-the-art analytical tools to enable world-changing science. Shaped like a huge ring, it works like a giant microscope, accelerating electrons to near light speeds, to produce a light 10 billion times brighter than the Sun, which is then directed off into 35 laboratories known as beamlines. In addition to these, Diamond offers access to several integrated laboratories including the world-class Electron Bio-imaging Centre (eBIC) and the Electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC).     Diamond serves as an agent of change, addressing 21st century challenges such as disease, clean energy, food security and more. Since operations started, more than 16,000 researchers from both academia and industry have used Diamond to conduct experiments, with the support of approximately 800 world-class staff. More than 14,000 scientific articles have been published by our users and scientists. 

Funded by the UK government through the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and by the Wellcome Trust, Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research.

Diamond was set-up as an independent not for profit company through a joint venture, between the UKRI’s Science and Technology Facilities Council and one of the world’s largest biomedical charities, the Wellcome Trust - each respectively owning 86% and 14% of the shareholding.  For further information: please contact Diamond Communications: diamond.communications@diamond.ac.uk

About UK Research and Innovation

Launched in April 2018, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). UKRI brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Learn more: https://www.ukri.org/who-we-are/about-uk-research-and-innovation/