Aqueous processing of carbothermally prepared Ca-alpha-SiAlON and beta-SiAlON powders : powder and suspension characterisation

Properties of carbothermally prepared Ca-a-SiAlON and ß-SiAlON powders and aqueous suspensions thereof were determined. The isoelectric points of Ca-a-SiAlON and ß-SiAlON were 3·4 and 4·6. After addition of deflocculant, Dolapix CE64, the behaviour of both suspensions is nearly identical. The isoelectric points become 5·5 and 5·3, respectively. Despite differences in bulk composition, grain size distribution, grain size and shape, both SiAlON suspensions show a similar dependence of a zeta potential on pH. Optimum slip casting properties, i.e. lowest viscosity values (below 10 mPa s), the highest absolute zeta potential values, the smallest floc size and sediment volume were found between pH 10–11 for both powders. The potentials of the different suspension characterisation techniques were compared and zeta potential and viscosity measurements were found the most convenient.