A review on ceramic forming and shaping: Recent advances in near-net shaping and emerging applications

This review critically scrutinizes recent advancements in ceramic shaping and forming technologies, emphasizing their impact on the reliability and cost-effectiveness of advanced ceramics. Notably, the shift from traditional dry processing to innovative suspension wet techniques has enabled the fabrication of complex geometries, significantly expanding the potential applications of ceramics. Key methods, including aqueous injection molding, gelcasting, direct coagulation, freeze gelcasting, and geopolymer production, are analyzed for their effectiveness in producing near-net-shape porous and dense structures. Unlike existing reviews, this article not only outlines the latest trends but also provides a comparative analysis of the strengths and limitations of each technique, elucidating how these methods can meet evolving industry demands. By highlighting practical implications and offering insights into future directions, this review contributes a novel perspective on the optimization of ceramic manufacturing processes .