Mullite-zirconia composites : Effect of citric acid addition on slip and cast properties

Dispersion of mixed suspensions of zircon and alpha-alumina using citric acid as dispersant followed by pressure filtration produced after sintering (1600DGC-2 h) dense mullite-zirconia composites. The effect of citric acid addition and pH on the rheological behavior of the mixed suspensions (57 vol%) was examined. Most of flow curves showed a shear thinning behavior at low shear rates reaching the viscosity a plateau at high shear rates. Newtonian viscosity at high shear rates values decreased to a minimum and then increased with increasing the amount of dispersant added. Compacts prepared from well stabilized suspensions achieved a maximum relative density of 72% (theoretical) which is slightly higher than that obtained from suspensions dispersed with a polyelectrolyte. Characteristics of sintered compacts such as density and crystalline phase composition by XRD were determined.