Patent ID: 8585960

Claim:
A method for producing a sintered body, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first inorganic powder molded body having a hollow portion and a second inorganic powder molded body having a hollow portion, each of the molded bodies comprising an inorganic powder, an organic dispersion medium having a reactive functional group and a gelling agent and being solidified by chemical reaction of the organic dispersion medium and the gelling agent; applying a slurry comprising a powder component and an organic dispersion medium to a first joint surface of the first inorganic powder molded body; bringing the first joint surface of the first inorganic powder molded body into contact with a second joint surface of the second inorganic powder molded body through the slurry interposed between the first and second inorganic powder molded bodies to obtain an integrated joined body having an inner space defined by the respective hollow portions of the molded bodies; and sintering the integrated joined body to obtain a sintered body; wherein the first joint surface extends between terminal portions corresponding to end edges of respective corner portions of the first inorganic powder molded body; wherein an entirety of the first joint surface defines an outwardly protruding part having a continuous curvature shape that is unbroken by flat portions in a cross-sectional view; wherein the outwardly protruding part protrudes outwardly with respect to a virtual plane defined between the terminal portions of the first joint surface; and wherein an entirety of the second joint surface likewise defines an outwardly protruding part.