Thermoresponsive Gelcasting: Improved Drying of Gelcast Bodies

An improved ceramic processing method, thermoresponsive gelcasting, has been developed. The method uses a rapid thermoresponsive gel system to solve the problem of inefficient drying within the conventional gelcasting procedure. The gel system of poly( N ‐isopropylacrylamide) gel containing poly‐(ethylene oxide) graft chains with a freely mobile end was taken as an example for thermoresponsive gelcasting of alumina. The gelling behavior of organic aqueous solution was evaluated. The slurries (solids loading, 50 vol%) with the new gelcasting system were prepared. The wetting ceramic parts were almost completely dried in 70 min at 50°C. The microstructure of the green body is homogeneous. The flexural strength of the sintered ceramics is 282 ± 37 MPa with a theoretical density of 97.6%.