This work aims to
provide useful insights into the thermal debinding
kinetics of gelcast ceramic parts, especially for debinding kinetics
prediction involving heat preservation. Debinding experiments were
conducted in a differential thermogravimetric analyzer at five heating
rates (5, 8, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min) in the temperature range
of 35–900 °C under an air atmosphere. The conversion (α)
and pyrolysis rate (dα/d
T
) data were simulated
using a modified independent parallel reaction (IPR) model and a multiple
normally distributed activation energy model (M-DAEM). Their validity
was assessed and compared by checking the agreement between the experimental
results and the prediction capability. The results showed that both
the modified IPR model and M-DAEM had high predictability for thermal
debinding kinetics under linear heating conditions. The fitting quality
parameters (Fit) were less than 1.406 and 1.01%, respectively. The
activation energies (
E
i
,
i
= 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) calculated by the M-DAEM
ranged from 153.312 to 217.171 kJ/mol. The relationships between
E
i
of pseudo components 1 to
5 calculated by the modified IPR model were a function of the conversion
rate. The
E
i
values were
E
1
(α) = 116.750 + 11.153α –
26.772α
2
+ 4.362α
3
kJ/mol,
E
2
(α) = 139.595 – 66.162α
+ 75.702α
2
– 38.041α
3
kJ/mol,
E
3
(α) = 190.854 + 135.755α –
214.801α
2
+ 116.093α
3
kJ/mol,
E
4
(α) = 64.068 + 280.086α –
380.270α
2
+ 264.724α
3
kJ/mol, and
E
5
(α) = 188.257 – 77.086α
+ 74.129α
2
– 48.669α
3
kJ/mol,
respectively. However, it is noteworthy that the α and dα/d
T
curves predicted by the modified IPR model with a deviation
of less than 8% were better than those predicted by the M-DAEM for
the linear thermal debinding process with the holding stage. Accordingly,
it is believed that the proposed modified IPR model is suitable for
describing the thermal debinding kinetics involving the heat preservation
of gelcast green parts.