A new aqueous PEGDMA/AM system for 3YSZ gelcasting

Poly(ethylene glycol)(400)dimethacrylate (PEG(400)DMA) was used as main binder and cross-linker to gelcast 3YSZ, while acrylamid (AM) as minor monomer. Influences of PEG(400)DMA and dispersant content on rheological property (including zeta potential and viscosity) of the slurry as well as on the flexural strength of green body were discussed. Effect of PEG(400)DMA on surface exfoliation of green body gelcast in air was also investigated. Zeta potential of the slurry was significantly affected by PEGDMA after substituting PEGDMA for AM. Improved rheological property and flexural strength of green body were obtained by adding 1.35 wt% dispersant to slurry. Flexural strength of green body prepared by 45 vol% solid loading slurry reached 18.7 MPa at 6.5 wt% monomer concentration. Surface exfoliation of green body was eliminated when slurry was solidified in air at 70 °C with 3.5 wt% PEG(400)DMA/AM in slurry.