Gel casting

Gel casting project details
Full title

Netshape Centrifugal Gel-casting of High-Temperature Sialon Ceramics

Start date 2018
End date

In progress

Category

Research

Description

This project in collaboration with MicroTurbo is investigating the use of centrifugal gelcasting for manufacture of Sialon aero-engine blades. Gelcasting is a new ceramic forming technique consisting of dispersion of ceramics powders in a monomer solution which is then gelled in the mould. The process offers numerous advantages: its capital costs are low, it is capable of producing complex near net-shape parts, the green body contains only a small amount of organic binder, and the material is more homogeneous compared to slip casting. Currently, gelcasting is moving from laboratories into industrial use.

Project lead

Dr Nick Adkins, Dr Parastoo Jamshidi