Effects of process parameters on nonaqueous gelcasting for copper powder

An approach to fabricate sintered copper with high green strength and high sintered density using nonaqueous gelcasting technology is presented in this study. The effects of various gelcasting processing parameters such as monomer content, monomer/crosslinker ratio, initiator content, dispersant dosage, and temperature on the flexural strength of dried green bodies and the relative density of sintered bodies were studied to obtain better microstructures and properties. The appropriate process parameters obtained for copper gelcasting are as follows: monomer content, 20vol%–30vol% (based on the total volume of reagents); monomer/crosslinker ratio, 10:1 to 20:1; initiator content, 3vol%–4vol% (based on the volume of the monomer); dispersant dosage, 1.5wt%–2.5wt% (based on the mass of the copper powder); and reaction temperature, 65–75℃.