Development of Eco-Debinding Process Using Supercritical Extraction of Low Molecular Organic Binders in Ceramic Bodies with Nano-Sized Capillary Structure

Abstract

Eco-debinding process using supercritical extraction of low molecular organic binders in nano-porous ceramic bodies was examined. The debinding properties related to structural changes during supercritical extraction and conventional solvent extraction were also compared. The debinding rate of supercritical extraction was significantly enhanced compared to the debinding rate of solvent extraction because of the high diffusivity of the supercritical carbon dioxide for the low molecular weight wax binder in the molded bodies with nano-sized pore structure, although both debinding rates showed same a square root of time dependence. The extraction rates with morphological changes varied depending on the degree of saturation at the end of debinding stages. Both the debinding methods experienced morphological changes with a debinding front separating the pendular state region from the undebinded region with fluid state in low molecular paraffin wax based powder compacts during extraction. The capillary structural changes in the green bodies caused severe defects during extraction and degraded the physical properties. In spite of the abrupt changes of the capillary structure, the debinding defect was significantly alleviated for the supercritical debinded ceramic bodies, compared to the solvent extracted bodies.