Processing of aqueous tape-casting of alumina with acrylic emulsion binders

Two commercial acrylic emulsion binders (Tg = -40 degrees C and Tg = 10 degrees C) have been investigated as potential binders for aqueous alumina suspensions for the tape casting process. Coupled with an aqueous low-molecular weight ammonium polyacrylate salt solution as dispersant, they lead to homogeneous systems which seem very compatible. The aqueous suspensions no not show apparent foaming. The suspensions exhibit a typical shear-thinning character with a very few time dependent rheological behaviour, whatever the binder compositions tested. Fabrication of homogeneous green tapes with very smooth surfaces and relative densities above 50% has proven to be relatively easy from these suspensions. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Limited.