Alumina porous ceramic materials prepared by slip casting

The preparation by the slip casting method of porous ceramics based on alumina was investigated. The alumina powder was water dispersed with the aid of dispersion additives. An organic additive was also used, for generating the porosity. The ceramic green bodies were obtained by casting the suspension into a gypsum mould. The thermal treatments were conducted in two steps. One at 160degreesC, and the other at temperatures up to 1300degreesC, with different soaking periods. The porosity and the microstructure of materials were investigated, in correlation with the amount of organic additive and processing parameters. The mechanical properties of porous materials were evaluated.