Gelcasting of alumina nanopowders based on gelation of sodium alginate

The alumina nanopowder was synthesized via the sol–gel method. θ-Alumina with crystallite size in the range of 25–110 nm was crystallized by calcination of the powder at 900 °C for 1 h. Sodium alginate, a natural innoxious polymer, was applied for in situ forming process of an Al₂O₃ green body, using calcium phosphate as a solidifier agent. Sodium hexa metaphosphate was also utilized as a chelator. Rheological and gelation behaviors of resultant slurry were analyzed. The viscosity of slurries with 15 vol.% alumina and 1.8 vol.% calcium phosphate dispersed by 1 wt.% sodium alginate solution, was less than 800 mPa s. The green bodies from the gelcasting process were dried at room temperature for 36 h and pressureless sintered at 1500 °C for 3 h. A uniform microstructure without huge grain growth was revealed by SEM.