摘要 |
A method of forming a ceramic material or body comprises the steps of: i) providing a water-containing mixture of raw materials; ii) forming said mixture into a shape; iii) removing water from said shape; iv) firing said shape at a temperature sufficient to effect sintering and/or reaction of the raw materials and thereby form a ceramic material or body in which the raw materials include a hygroscopic polymeric material capable of retaining water in the mixture over a range of temperatures above the boiling point of water. The hygroscopic polymeric material may be a so-called superabsorber, and the raw materials may comprise silicon carbide, graphite, sugar, and starch. |