Gelcasting of aqueous silicon carbide/carbon black slurry

This paper describes the investigation of gelcasting of silicon carbide/carbon black aqueous slurry. Aqueous slurries are prepared by using polyvinylpyrrolloidone and tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide as dispersants. Rheological behaviors of the slurries have been studied. Two initiator systems are used to initiate free-radical polymerization of acrylamide in silicon carbide/carbon black aqueous slurry. In order to reduce strong effect of carbon black on inhibiting polymerization of acrylamide, acetylacetone is added into the slurry. The experimental result shows that controllable free-radical polymerization of acrylamide in silicon carbide/carbon black aqueous slurry can be realized by adding small quantity of acetylacetone.