Pressureless sintering and characterization of gel‐cast ZrB 2 –SiC‐based composites processed from optimized slurries
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Gel‐casting followed by pressureless sintering has been developed as a process to fabricate near‐net shaped ZrB 2 ‐20 vol.% SiC composites. The slurries for gel‐casting have been prepared by using novel environment‐friendly additives, egg‐white (containing albumin) as a binder and sucrose with polyacrylic acid (PAA) as a dispersant to control viscosity. The slurry composition has been optimized (35–38 vol.% solid loading, 22–26 vol.% egg‐white, 4–8 vol.% sucrose, and 0.3 vol% PAA) to achieve a uniform dispersion of constituents at pH = 9 with minimum zeta potential and shear thinning behavior, as verified by rheological studies. Defect‐free green bodies with relative density (RD) >50% and crushing strength ∼3.9–7.7 MPa, obtained by gel‐casting of optimized slurries followed by controlled drying, have been sintered to attain RD ∼98%. Uniform and reduced shrinkage during drying or sintering ensured by optimum solid loading and a uniform dispersion of constituents, has restricted the formation of defects in the sintered products.
DOI: 10.1111/jace.20427
Authors: Sunil Kumar Kashyap, Virushni S N, Adarsha Ranjan Mishra, V. V. Bhanuprasad, Manish Patel, Santanu Dhara, Rahul Mitra
Language: English
Subfield: Ceramics and Composites
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4407411280