Optimization of the rheological properties of alumina slurries for ceramic processing applications Part I: Slip-casting

Aqueous powder slurries are widely employed in ceramic manufacturing processes like slip-casting and spray-drying. The aim of the present work was to identify the conditions for the preparation of stable alumina slurries with high solids content for the production of slip-cast objects with improved properties, as well as to correlate the slurry properties to the final object properties. For slurry stabilization, three commercial dispersants were compared. It was found that for each dispersant there exists an optimum concentration range within which low viscosity is achieved for a slurry of high solids content. In addition to the slurry solids content, the choice of a particular dispersant also affects the slurry viscosity and through that the casting rate. The combination of high slurry solids content and slower casting rate results in objects with higher densities both in the green and fired state.