Consolidation Behavior of Flocculated Alumina Suspensions
TL;DR: In this paper, the consolidation behavior of flocculated alumina suspensions has been analyzed as a function of the interparticle energy, and it has been shown that strongly attractive interactions result in a particle network which resists consolidation and shows compressible behavior over a large stress range.
Abstract: The consolidation behavior of flocculated alumina suspensions has been analyzed as a function of the interparticle energy. Consolidation was performed by a centrifugal force field or by gravity, and both the time-dependent and equilibrium density profiles were measured by a gamma-ray absorption technique. The interparicle energy at contact was controlled by adsorbing fatty acids of varying molecular weight at the alumina/decalin interface. We found that strongly attractive interactions result in a particle network which resists consolidation and shows compressible behavior over a large stress range. The most weakly flocculated suspension showed an essentially incompressible, homogeneous density profile after consolidation at different centrifugal speeds. We also found a significant variation in the maximum volume fraction, φm, obtained, with φm∼ 0.54 for the most strongly flocculated suspension to φm∼ 0.63 for the most weakly flocculated suspension. The compresive yield stresses show a behavior which can be fitted to a modified power law. In this paper, we discuss possible correlations between the fitting parameters and physical properties of the flocculated suspensions.
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TL;DR: In this article, a review of colloidal processing of ceramics is presented with an emphasis on interparticle forces, suspension rheology, consolidation techniques, and drying behavior.
Abstract: Colloidal processing of ceramics is reviewed with an emphasis on interparticle forces, suspension rheology, consolidation techniques, and drying behavior. Particular attention is given to the scientific concepts that underpin the fabrication of particulate-derived ceramic components. The complex interplay between suspension stability and its structural evolution during colloidal processing is highlighted.
1,211 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the fundamental principles for green body formation are discussed; a distinction is made between physical and chemical gels based on the nature of the induced gelation; and an overview of the properties of dense suspensions is presented, with a focus on the factors controlling the maximum solids loading.
Abstract: Novel approaches for optimized powder processing of advanced ceramics are reviewed with an emphasis on direct-casting methods and solid freeform fabrication techniques. The fundamental principles for green body formation are discussed; a distinction is made between physical and chemical gels based on the nature of the induced gelation. An overview of the properties of dense suspensions is presented, with a focus on the factors controlling the maximum solids loading. Recent work on direct measurements of interparticle forces in ceramic systems is presented and related to rheological properties.
427 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of citric acid on the viscosity of alumina is investigated using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory.
Abstract: The interaction between citric acid and alumina in aqueous solution is characterized. Adsorption isotherms of the dispersant on the alumina surface, electrophoretic mobility of the alumina particles as a function of the citric acid concentration, and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy of the citratealumina surface complex have been used. The adsorption behavior of citric acid is dependent on the pH of the suspension and the concentration of the citric acid. The maximum amount of citric acid adsorbed on the alumina surface, 2.17 μ.mol/m2 at pH 3, decreases to 1.17 μmol/m2 at pH 8. The adsorption of citrate causes a highly negatively charged powder surface and a shift of the isoelectric point (IEP) to lower pH values. The IEP of alumina can be fixed at any pH value between 9 and 3 by proper adjustment of the citric acid concentration. In situ ATR-FTIR spectroscopy of the citrate-alumina surface complex gives evidence for a direct interaction between the carboxylate groups of the citrate and the surface aluminum(III) atoms. The rheological properties of alumina suspensions are studied as a function of the citric acid concentration. The data obtained from the viscosity and dynamic electrophoretic measurements correlate well and allow the construction of a stability map of alumina suspensions stabilized with citric acid. The influence of citric acid on the viscosity is discussed using the Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. The interaction potential between the particles is determined by the citrate adsorbed on the surface, leading to a negative particle charge, and the citrate anions remaining in the solution, resulting in an increase of the ionic strength. The adsorption of citric acid also creates a steric barrier that inhibits the complete mutual approach of the individual alumina particles.
348 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a model for the yield stress of particulate suspensions is presented that incorporates microstructural parameters taking into account volume fraction of solids, particle size and particle size distribution, maximum packing, percolation threshold, and interparticle forces.
Abstract: A model for the yield stress of particulate suspensions is presented that incorporates microstructural parameters taking into account volume fraction of solids, particle size, particle size distribution, maximum packing, percolation threshold, and interparticle forces. The model relates the interparticle forces between particles of dissimilar size and the statistical distribution of particle pairs expected for measured or log-normal size distributions. The model is tested on published data of sub-micron ceramic suspensions and represents the measured data very well, over a wide range of volume fractions of solids. The model shows the variation of the yield stress of particulate suspensions to be inversely proportional to the particle diameter. Not all the parameters in the model could be directly evaluated; thus, two were used as adjustable variables: the maximum packing fraction and the minimum interparticle separation distance. The values for these two adjustable variables provided by the model are in good agreement with separate determinations of these parameters. This indicates that the model and the approximations used in its derivation capture the main parameters that influence the yield stress of particulate suspensions and should help us to better predict changes in the rheological properties of complex suspensions. The model predicts the variation of the yield stress of particulate suspensions to be inversely proportional to the particle diameter, but the experimental results do not show a clear dependence on diameter. This result is consistent with previous evaluations, which have shown significant variations in this dependence, and the reasons behind the yield stress dependence on particle size are discussed in the context of the radius of curvature of particles at contact.
286 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the interaction of water and the alumina surface is comprehensively reviewed and the role of surface charge on the adsorption of processing additives is briefly discussed, and the influence of these forces on suspension properties such as rheological behavior is outlined.
Abstract: The interaction of water and the alumina surface is comprehensively reviewed. Water can be incorporated in the alumina crystal structure resulting in the formation of aluminum hydroxides such as gibbsite. Alumina dissolves into water to an extent that depends primarily upon the solution pH and temperature. The soluble Al (III)aq species (hydrolysis products) likewise depend upon the solution pH, temperature, aluminum, and other salt concentrations. The development of charge on the surface of alumina is controlled by amphoteric surface ionization reactions. The charging behavior of both alumina powders and single crystal faces is compared. The differences can be explained by the reactivities of different types of surface hydroxyl groups. The substantial difference in surface charging behavior of single crystal sapphire and alumina powders indicates that experiments and modeling conducted on single crystals is of limited use in predicting suspension behavior. The atomic scale structure of the hydroxylated sapphire (0001) basal plane is nearly identical to the gibbsite (001) basal plane. The observed surface structures are consistent with the charging behavior of the surfaces. The role of surface charge on the adsorption of processing additives is briefly discussed. How surface charge and processing additives at the alumina aqueous solution interface influence surface forces between particles is reviewed. The influence of these forces on suspension properties such as rheological behavior is outlined. The importance of controlling these behaviors to improve colloidal ceramic powder processing is stressed.
231 citations
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1,157 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, issues concerning powder consolidation methods compatible with the colloidal approach and issues associated with other powder processing steps, viz., densification and microstructural control, are presented with regard to research directions leading to more reliable ceramics.
Abstract: Issues concerning powder consolidation methods compatible with the colloidal approach and issues associated with other powder processing steps, viz., densification and microstructural control, are presented with regard to research directions leading to more reliable ceramics.
1,110 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the physical signifance of the function ϵ (iξ) for a dielectric material is discussed together with the rationale for the construction of ϵ(i−ε) from dielectrics data.
667 citations