This work deals with the preparation of copper dense compacts using an aqueous colloidal route. Concentrated suspensions of Cu powders were prepared in water with a polyelectrolyte and tetramethylammonium hydroxide at alkaline pH as dispersing agents. Suspensions were optimized by measuring the theological behavior as a function of pH and volume fraction of solids. The slurries showed a pseudoplastic behavior with thixotropy due to the additives added. The suspensions were slip cast in plaster molds leading to high green densities (similar to 61% TD), as a consequence of the particles' shape and size distribution packing characteristics. Sintering studies were performed at 900 degrees C in flowing Ar/5% H-2 atmosphere. The green and dense compacts shaped by this route were characterized by SEM and Archimedes' density. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.