For this study,a simple,two-stage isothermal heating schedule
was used to sinter the specimens (Figure 4) (Kuczynski, 1980;
German,1996;Johnston,2005;Rahaman,2008).The first stage
of the heating schedule is used for binder burn-off, since the
specimens were printed as a mixture of glass and organic binders
(i.e. sugar, and maltodextrin). The organics will burn-off at
relatively low temperatures between 200-5008C (Johnston,
2005). The kiln then ramps up to the peak firing temperature,
where it is briefly held to allow for complete particle fusing,
followed by natural cooling.