Thermoreversible Gelcasting: A Novel Ceramic Processing Technique |
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Authors: | John K. Montgomery Peter L. Drzal Kenneth R. Shull K. T. Faber |
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Affiliation: | Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208 |
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Abstract: | A new ceramic processing method, thermoreversible gelcasting (TRG), has been developed. The method uses a gelation process that can be reversed multiple times. Two Al2O3 systems have been explored with the use of a specific triblock copolymer to form a binding gel network. The mixture becomes a free-flowing liquid on heating above 60°C. However, on cooling below 60°C, the slurry instantaneously transforms to a physical gel. This process can be reversed easily (essentially with an infinite processing time window) while the solvent is present in the system, which is advantageous when trying to produce high-quality dense pieces if initial casting irregularities occur. Near-theoretically dense specimens have been produced with properties consistent with reported values of high-density Al2O3. |
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Keywords: | gelcasting alumina processing |
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