Process for preparing green bodies

The present invention provides a method of preparing semi-wet pressed green bodies having improved wet strength. The wet strength of the semi-wet pressed green bodies is increased by the addition of at least one polymeric binder having a molecular weight greater than 50,000 comprising, as polymerized units, at least 10 percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated acids, salts, or anhydrides, and further comprising at least one hydrophobe per polymeric chain on average. The present invention further provides semi-wet pressed green bodies, having improved wet strength, made from the above method. In one embodiment, the polymeric binder increases the wet strength of ceramic green bodies. In another embodiment, the polymeric binder increases the wet strength of metallurgic green bodies. In another embodiment, the polymeric binder increases the wet strength of cermet green bodies.