Stabilization of highly-loaded boron carbide aqueous suspensions. Issue 12 (15th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diaz-Cano, Andres; Trice, Rodney W.; Youngblood, Jeffrey P.
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 43:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 8572
• Page End: 8578
• Publication Date: 2017-08-15
• Subjects: Boron carbide -- Suspensions -- Rheology -- Polyethylenimine PEI -- Zeta potential; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2017.03.111
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: Injection molding of boron carbide (B4 C) slurries affords the production of complex-shaped personal armor. To injection mold, however, requires preparation of a well dispersed, flowable suspension with >45 vol% B4 C loadings to reduce porosity that must be removed during sintering. In the present study, the preparation of highly-loaded B4 C suspensions is investigated using zeta potential and rheological measurements, varying dispersant type, molecular weight, and amount. Of those dispersants investigated, polyethylenimine (PEI) with a molecular weight of 25, 000 g/mol was found to produce suspensions with up to 56 vol% B4 C and the requisite rheological properties suitable for injection molding. A PEI concentration of 1.83 mg/m 2 was established as the appropriate to produce highly-loaded B4 C suspensions. The effect of a prior B4 C powder treatment (ethanol washed or attrition milled) on rheological properties of the suspensions was also investigated. The PEI was completely burned out in argon, nitrogen, and air at 450 °C.