processes Review Methods Used for the Compaction and Molding of Ceramic Matrix Composites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes Valerii P. Meshalkin and Alexey V. Belyakov * Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology of Russia (MUCTR), 9 Miusskaya Square, 125047 Moscow, Russia;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +7-495-4953866 Received: 2 August 2020; Accepted: 11 August 2020; Published: 18 August 2020 Abstract: Ceramic matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes are becoming increasingly popular in industry due to their astonishing mechanical properties and taking into account the fact that advanced production technologies make carbon nanotubes increasingly affordable. In the present paper, the most convenient contemporary methods used for the compaction of molding masses composed of either technical ceramics or ceramic matrix composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes are surveyed. This stage that precedes debinding and sintering plays the key role in getting pore-free equal-density ceramics at the scale of mass production. The methods include: compaction in sealed and collector molds, cold isostatic and quasi-isostatic compaction; dynamic compaction methods, such as magnetic pulse, vibration, and ultrasonic compaction; extrusion, stamping, and injection; casting from aqueous and non-aqueous slips; tape and gel casting. Capabilities of mold-free approaches to produce precisely shaped ceramic bodies are also critically analyzed, including green ceramic machining and additive manufacturing technologies. Keywords: carbon nanotubes; ceramic matrix composites; compaction; molding; casting; powder mixtures; green bodies; plastic molding powders; slips; polymerizable monomers; solid freeform fabrication; machinery 1. Introduction Compaction molding is an important technological stage in the mass production of technical ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (hereinafter, CMCs).