COLORING OF CERAMICS BY ATMOSPHERE CONTROL

摘要

Methods of forming a colored ceramic body or dental article are described that include: (a) forming a body from a ceramic-containing powder; (b) shaping the body into a desired shape; and (c) firing the shaped body in an atmosphere comprising at least one coloring agent. Methods of forming a fully dense ceramic body that lacks discoloration, are also described which include: (a) forming a body from a ceramic-containing powder; (b) shaping the body into a desired shape; (c) placing the shaped body in a firing atmosphere containing at least one impurity that promote discoloration of the ceramic body; (d) placing the ceramic body in proximity to an atmosphere powder; and (e) firing the shaped body in proximity to an atmosphere powder; wherein the atmosphere powder acts as at least one of a barrier and a getter for the at least one impurity.