New Aqueous Injection Molding Process for Ceramic Powders

An aqueous injection molding process based on the gelling properties of certain naturally occurring polysaccharides, in particular agar, and its purified derivative, agarose, is described. The materials form nonviscous solutions at temperatures near 100°C which solidify to rigid gels upon cooling below the so‐called gel point temperature, 37°C. Gels formed by these materials are strong, nominally 1500 g/cm 2 for agar and 2500 g/cm 2 for agarose at 3 wt% concentration. Molded parts can be dried and fired without use of absorbent powders or special debinding operations of any kind.