초록
Alumina $(Al_2O_3)$ green bodies were fabricated by gel-casting using three kinds of alumina with different particle size (mean particle size: 4.6 $\mu\textrm{m}$, 0.32 $\mu\textrm{m}$, 10nm). The effects of particle size on gel-casting process and green microstructure were investigated. The optimum dispersion conditions using ammonium salt (D-3019) as dispersant were 0.2 wt% (4.63 $\mu\textrm{m}$), 0.5 wt% (0.32 $\mu\textrm{m}$), and 5.0 wt% (10 nm), in high solid loading. The optimum solid loading of each starting material for gel-casting was obtained as 59 vol% (4.63 $\mu\textrm{m}$), 57 vol% (0.32 $\mu\textrm{m}$), 15 vol% (10 nm), depending on particle size, indicating that nano-size particle (10 nm) represent lower solid loading as high specific surface area than those of other two starting materials. The drying at ambient conditions (humidity; $\thickapprox$90%) was performed more than 48hrs to enable ejection of the part from the mold and then at $120^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs in an air oven, showing no crack and flaw in the dried green bodies. The pore size and distribution of the gelcast green bodies showed the significant decrease with decreasing particle size. Green microstructure was dependent on the pore size and distribution due to the particle size, and on the deairing step. The green density maximum obtained was 58.9% (4.63 $\mu\textrm{m}$), 60% (0.32 $\mu\textrm{m}$), 47% (10 nm) theoretical density (TD), and the deairing step applied before gel-casting did not affect green density.
