Aqueous Tape Casting Process with Styrene-acrylic Latex Binder

A commercial styrene-acrylic latex binder has been investigated as a good binder for aqueous Al2O3 suspensions tape-casting process. This paper focuses on the forming film mechanism of latex binder, the rheological behaviors of the suspensions, physical properties of green tapes and drying process of aqueous slurries with latex binder system. The drying process of the alumina suspensions is shown to follow a two-stage mechanism ( the first stage : evaporation controlled process ; and the second stage : diffusion controlled process ). During the drying stage of the suspensions, the compressive force presses the latex particles arid makes them be distorted, which results in cross-linking structure in co.acted latex particles of the solidified tapes. A smooth-surface and high-strength green tape was fabricated by aqueous tape casting with latex binder system. The results from the SEM images of the crossing section microstrueture of green tapes show that the latex is a very suitable binder for aqueous tape casting.