Gelcasting: From laboratory development toward industrial production

Gelcasting, a ceramic forming process, was developed to overcome some of the limitations of other complex-shape forming techniques such as injection molding and slip casting. In gelcasting, a concentrated slurry of ceramic powder in a solution of organic monomers is poured into a mold and then polymerized in situ to form a green body in the shape of the mold cavity. Thus, it is a combination of polymer chemistry with slip processing and represents minimal departure from standard ceramic processing. The simplicity of the process has attracted industrial partners and by collaboration between them and the developers, the process is being advanced from the laboratory toward industrial production.

[1]  L. Sheppard.  COST-EFFECTIVE MANUFACTURING OF ADVANCED CERAMICS , 1991 .

[2]  E. Blanchard.  Pressure casting improves productivity , 1988 .

[3]  L. Gauckler,et al.  Shaping of ceramic green compacts direct from suspensions by enzyme catalyzed reactions , 1994 .

[4]  R. A. Strehlow,et al.  Gelcasting : a new ceramic forming process , 1991 .

[5]  O. O. Omatete,et al.  Tailoring suspension flow for the gelcasting of oxide and nonoxide ceramics , 1994 .

[6]  J. Pollinger,et al.  Optimization of the gelcasting of a silicon nitride formulation , 1995 .

[7]  Michael R. Foley,et al.  Reliable ceramics for advanced heat engines , 1995 .

[8]  James L White,et al.  Flow visualization for injection molding of polyethylene and polystyrene melts , 1974 .

[9]  M. Janney,et al.  Gelcasting of Alumina , 1991 .

[10]  R. Silvers,et al.  New Aqueous Injection Molding Process for Ceramic Powders , 1989 .

[11]  A. Bleier,et al.  Rheology and Microstructure of Concentrated Zirconia-Alumina Suspensions for Gelcasting Composites , 1992 .

[12]  R. German,et al.  Key issues in powder injection molding , 1991 .

[13]  J. Pollinger.  Improved Silicon Nitride Materials and Component Fabrication Processes for Aerospace and Industrial Gas Turbine Applications , 1995 .

[14]  T. R. Curlee,et al.  The cost of silicon nitride powder and the economic viability of advanced ceramics , 1992 .

[15]  A. Bleier,et al.  Rheology of zirconia-alumina gelcasting slurries , 1992 .

[16]  R. Strehlow,et al.  Drying of gelcast ceramics , 1991 .

[17]  R. Evershed,et al.  Mat Res Soc Symp Proc , 1995 .