Epoxide-oligosiloxane hybrid resin for enhanced ceramic shrinkage resistance

Abstract

Heat treatment is essential for developing high-strength ceramics; however, maintaining dimensional stability post-treatment is challenging due to shrinkage and warpage. In this study, we synthesized sol-gel-derived cycloaliphatic epoxide oligosiloxane resins and applied them to ceramic bodies to enhance their shrinkage resistance. The optimal resin composition and synthetic conditions were determined by analyzing the bonding structures and thermal properties. The resin was blended with ceramic powders and heat-treated to assess its effects on fracture strength, thermal expansion, and dimensional stability. The hybrid binder with both organic and inorganic components significantly improved the mechanical properties and thermal stability of ceramics. Incorporating mixed particle sizes into the ceramic powder increased packing density, leading to a higher residual solid content after pyrolysis and reduced shrinkage during sintering. Even at temperatures above 1300 °C, minimal shrinkage was observed, making this approach promising for the production of high-performance ceramic parts for aerospace, automotive, and electronics applications.