As I explained in an earlier post a group of students and I are trying to make mugs from aluminum oxide and zirconia. These are materials commonly used in lower cost body armors. Our goal is to produce a mug that can survive falls from great heights. However, while most body armors are hot pressed these mugs are going to be slip casted because you can't form a mug through pressing. This process involves creating a mold that will allow the mixed slurry to be poured. Once the mold has set it is placed in a oven and roasted.
Right now we are constructing sample molds to test the right amount of what materials to use. I hope to post a picture of our mold soon. I'll keep you posted.
Looking forward to the picture of the mold
ReplyDeleteI am interested in the pressing of a mug. Nothing is impossible. I think our major of anyone would know that. I'm curious (not that you would have the time this semester to test this), but is there a joining process that you could press two halves and essentially ceramic weld the two pieces together. This would give you effectively one pressed mug and the weld (ideally) would be slightly stronger than the mug and would survive a drop test. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI like this post. It's specific to your discipline and tangentially related to your blog topic, but it's written clearly and in a personal tone, so it's accessible. Yes, pics, please!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering whether or not the coffee will stay in the cup... who cares if the cup doesn't break!?! My coffee is all over the floor!!!
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