Rheological Properties of Zirconia Slurries Prepared Using a New Planetary Mixer

抄録

Preparation of ceramic slurries is an important process in colloidal processing. Planetary mixing allows the preparation of zirconia slurries in less time than conventional ball milling, and the slurries have low viscosity. However, there are two problems with slurries prepared by planetary mixing with water alone: a film forms on the surface of the slurry because of the increase in temperature of the slurry, and the fluidity of the slurries prepared by planetary mixing alone are poor as demonstrated by sedimentation tests. In this study, we investigated techniques to resolve these problems. Planetary mixing with zirconia milling balls and ice blocks for 150 s yielded slurries retaining low viscosity up to 83.5 mass%.