Studying the Effects of Kaolinite Additions on the Properties of Ceramic Bodies Prepared from Alumina Powder by Slip Casting Technique

Abstract

In this work, physical phenomena related to the growth and phase formation of alumina powder are investigated by experiments and computer calculations. The specimens were formed by slip casting technique. These specimens were fired at various temperatures (500, 1100 and 1600) °C. Alumina samples with different dopant percentages were prepared to study their various physical and mechanical properties. Before casting, slurries with (60 wt. %) solid content and different percentages of dopant additions were prepared. The dopant used here is kaolinite with (0, 5, 10 and 15) percentage addition, where kaolinite is one of many types of raw materials that have plasticity and advantage of securing. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) solution was used as dispersant. The stability of the slip clearly depends on the percentage of dispersant added and the best ratio is found to be (0.33 ml) for each gram of solids. Kaolinite percentage increase leads to decreasing the porosity and water absorption but it leads to increase density, thermal conductivity and all the mechanical properties.