Method for controlling the change in the crush strength of a catalyst particle during finishing calcination

The change in the crush strength of a catalyst particle as it is transformed from a catalyst precursor to a finished catalyst by calcination is controlled by the method comprising: 1. Preparing a catalyst precursor containing at least one metal element, 2. Adjusting the volatile portion of the catalyst precursor to a predetermined level, 3. Adjusting the water content of the volatile-adjusted precursor of (2) to a predetermined level, 4. Forming the catalyst particle from the water-adjusted precursor of (3), and 5. Transforming the catalyst precursor particle of (4) into a finished catalyst particle by calcination.