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 aluminapowder are investigated by experiments and computer calculations. The specimens were formedby slip casting technique. These specimens were fired at various temperatures (500, 1100 and1600) °C. Alumina samples with different dopant percentages were prepared to study theirvarious physical and mechanical properties. Before casting, slurries with (60 wt. %) solid contentand different percentages of dopant additions were prepared. The dopant used here is kaolinitewith (0, 5, 10 and 15) percentage addition, where kaolinite is one of many types of raw materialsthat 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 ofdispersant added and the best ratio is found to be (0.33 ml) for each gram of solids. Kaolinitepercentage increase leads to decreasing the porosity and water absorption but it leads to increasedensity, thermal conductivity and all the mechanical properties.