Preparation of corundum and steatite ceramics by the freeze-drying method

Abstract

The flexural strength and surface and fracture structures of ceramics samples dried by the traditional thermal method were compared with those of equivalent samples dried by the freeze-drying method. The freezing temperatures of the corundum, mullite and steatite slips, were determined. Drying by the freeze-drying technique resulted in smoother sample surfaces and increased flexural strenght of the corundum and mullite ceramics.