The SBIR research addresses a new technique for improving the working properties of water-based ceramic formulations and the production yields for objects manufactured from these materials. This extensively used class of materials is employed in applications ranging from ceramic substrates to bathroom fixtures to monolithic insulators used for high voltage transmission lines. While many additives have been used to improve the handling properties of clays, the losses due to cracking of large ceramic objects during drying remain at a very high level. Recently, a new additive has been invented which has been proven by our pilot studies to greatly increase the rate and uniformity of drying of certain water-based clays used for decorative ceramics. However, virtually nothing is known about the mechanism by which this additive works nor how to successfully apply it to ceramics of industrial important. Therefore, a scientific study is planned to explore the interaction of this new additive with water-based clays and to develop a model of this mechanism. The model will then be used to guide the experimental work needed to successfully use this additive with selected ceramics with large commercial markets.
