New Low Toxic Water-Soluble Monomers for Gelcasting of Ceramic Powders

Abstract

In this paper the two new low toxic water-soluble monomers: glycerol monoacrylate and 3-O-acrylic-D-glucose are introduced and their application in gelcasting of alumina powder is reported, in comparison with 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, the commercial monomer. Both synthesized substances do not need an addition of cross-linking agent to the ceramic slurry, because hydrogen bonds can be formed in the polymer network, owing to the presence of two or more hydroxyl groups in their molecules, unlike in the case of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. Rheological behavior of alumina gelcasting suspensions containing these monomers has been studied, as well as the characteristics of raw and sintered elements formed from these slurries by initializing an in situ polymerization.