Dopant incorporation in ceramics prepared by binder coagulation casting

Uniform incorporation of inorganic dopants and sintering aids into ceramic green bodies is necessary for the development of controlled microstructures during sintering. Binder coagulation casting (BCC) is a novel near-net shape fabrication process that is driven by controlled adsorption of polymeric binders. Two methods were used to incorporate small amounts of inorganic additives into ceramic compositions formed using BCC: the conventional mixed powder method and a novel method of using the organic additive system in BCC as a chelating agent for dopant cations. Cobalt dopant in zirconia was used as a model system for this work. MgO sintering aid in alumina was also examined. Sintering behavior and microstructure analysis using AFM are discussed.