Gelcasting of alumina with a new monomer synthesized from glucose

Synthesis of a new low-toxic monomer obtained from glucose is reported and its application in gelcasting process is presented. The new monomer named 3-O-acrylic-D-glucose is an interesting alternative for the commercially available acrylic monomers. The presence of many hydroxyl groups in the monomer molecule allows to create hydrogen bonds in the polymer network. The resulting network does not need any external cross-linking agent to obtain a rigid ceramic part. The present paper describes the properties of ceramic slurries, green and sintered elements obtained from two alumina powders of different grain size (0.21 mu m and 0.70 mu m)with the use of the new monomer 3-O-acrylic-D-glucose and commercially available 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.