Dispersion and Solution Processes

This chapter explores processes that convert particle dispersions or suspensions, polymer solutions, and liquid monomers into coatings and 3D parts. The chapter begins with a section on the fundamentals that covers colloidal dispersions, polymer solutions, rheology, and drying. Then shape casting, namely slip casting, is discussed with an emphasis on understanding the effect of dispersion variables on the slip casting rate. A section on coating and tape casting processes follows. In this section, several common coating methods are introduced and applications in polymer and ceramic coatings are included. After a brief introduction to injection molding and extrusion processes that are based on dispersions, additive processes that employ curable monomers are discussed.