Vinyl Acetate Copolymers in Die Pressing of Alumina

The studies on the application of the emulsions of poly(vinyl acetate-co-allyl ether)s containing nonionic hydrophilic poly(oxyethylene) fragments as binders in the die pressing of alumina is presented. It was found that introduction of hydrophilic fragments into molecules of a typical water dispersible polymer led to better polymer affinity to the ceramic powders. It was also shown that low molecular mass of such copolymers should be relatively low ca 1500 g mol^–1 to increase the density and thickening uniformity of the samples before and after sintering. The resultant sinters indicated exceptionally high mechanical strength (bending strength ca 500 MPa). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.