Microstructure-performance relation in PMMA-based open-cell porous materials for high pressure ceramic sanitaryware casting

Abstract

The ceramic whiteware/sanitaryware industry is rapidly undergoing to implement high-pressure casting techniques for ceramic article production. In these techniques, materials with open pore microstructure that allows drainage of water under applied pressure are needed. The polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) based polymeric porous materials have become the most suitable type of materials for this purpose because of their short casting periods and high service lives. However, the superior service life and performance of these materials are closely related to the microstructure. In the present study, the porous materials with various compositions of the constituents in the emulsion were produced to effect the microstructure of PMMA-based materials. The variations on the pore microstructure were interrelated to the performance of the material for high-pressure sanitaryware casting. The pore morphology and water permeability of the samples was measured using optical and SEM microscopy and permeability measurement techniques, respectively. The compressive collapse stress and modulus values were determined by performing compression testing. The results showed a significant interrelation between microstructure and the performance of the PMMA-based ceramic mould materials.