High-temperature rheological properties of clay bodies and bodies plasticized with clay

Conclusions We determined the rheological properties of clay materials at elevated temperatures. With an increase in the temperature and pressure the structural-mechanical constants diminish, and the plasticity increases. The total proportion of elastic and plastic deformations reaches significant values (92–95%) in kaolins at 1450°C, and in Chasov-Yar clay at 1200–1250°C. It is in these conditions precisely that we obtain the densest thermal-pressed products.With optimum thermoplastic pressing temperatures the various clay materials have the closest viscosity and maximum yield point values.The best natural raw material for thermoplasticizing is Chasov-Yar clay, but it is possible to use other clay materials. It is possible to regulate the rheological properties of bodies by varying the compositions (filler + thermoplasticizer) of the bodies, the pressing temperature, and pressure.The rheological properties of mixtures of zircon and thermoplasticizer (10% Chasov-Yar clay) at 1450–1480°C facilitate the production of especially dense products for continuous steel casting. Tests carried out on continuous casting plant were successful.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 6, pp. 43–51, June, 1973.