Electrostatic atomization of a ceramic suspension at pico-flow rates

Abstract

An alumina suspension containing 21 vol. % solids was made to flow through a needle at rates between 10-12–10-11 m3 s-1 and was subjected to electrostatic atomization at different applied voltages in the range 5–13 kV. The resulting modes of atomization were studied. The stable cone-jet mode was first obtained at 7 kV and 2.2×10-12 m3 s-1 and the effect of increasing flow rate and applied voltage on the jet diameter was investigated. Using a pointed ground electrode the alumina droplets produced by the jet in the stable cone-jet mode were printed according to a pre-determined architecture. Alumina relic diameters in the print were <35 μm.