Production of cordierite ceramic by aqueous tape casting process

Tape-casting process was used to produce cordierite ceramics in an aqueous system with polyvinylalcohol (PVA), and polyethyleneglicol (PEG), as binder and plasticizer, respectively. Before starting to tape-casting studies, optimum amount of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP, Na5P3O10) was used by sedimentation method for dispersing the powders. The sedimentation of raw materials (Kaolin, Al2O3 and Talc) with STPP, as a dispersant for 20 wt.% solid content was performed. Various tape slips with different solid content (50–55–60 wt.%) and 10–12 wt.% PEG + PVA were prepared. The influence of the solid content on the rheological properties of slips and the resultant green tapes were studied. The increase in the PVA + PEG content deteriorated the slip properties and fostered the formation of bubbles in the slip. In addition, the properties of the sintered tapes were investigated. The slip composition, 10 wt.% PVA + PEG for 55 wt.% solid content produced green tapes with good surface properties and flexibility that had higher sintered density.