TAPE CASTING SLIP PREPARATION BY IN-SITU POLYMERIZATION

The present work describes the polymerization of methylmethacrylate mo nomer into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), in the presence of either co arse or ultrafine alumina powder. The flexibility of the material was modified by addition of either butylbenzyl phthalate (S-160), or butyl acrylate (BA) monomer as plasticizers. It was found that BA is more co mpatible than S-160 in the PMMA system. A density of 97%-99% was reach ed with ultrafine alumina. The maximum tensile strength of the green a nd sintered tapes was 10 and 140 MPa, respectively. Due to improved ho mogeneity in the polymerized slip, the sintered tapes prepared by in s itu polymerization were stronger and denser than those prepared by con ventional blending of commercial PMMA.