Gel-casting of fused silica based core packing for investment casting using silica sol as a binder

A novel approach for the fabrication of core packing via silica sol gel-casting is described. Concentrated slurry dispersed in silica sol with high solid loading but low viscosity is successfully prepared at about pH 10.2. In situ consolidation of the slurry is realized through adjustment of NH4Cl concentration to control the gelation time of the slurry. High compaction and uniform green body is obtained by gel-casting technology without de-airing process. The results from flexural strength tests show that wet gel bodies with 0.5 wt.% calcium aluminate obtained by silica sol gel-casting have exceptionally high strength, which are responsible for the integrity of core packing during autoclaving.