Method of grinding as a factor in the rheological and technological properties of alumina suspensions

Conclusions Suspensions of alumina wet-ground and dry-ground in a ball mill are characterized by viscosity changes typical for firm systems with static {ie365-01} and dynamic (Bingham) {ie365-02} fluidity limits.These suspensions are thixotropic; the viscositygh_m of their fully broken up structure is higher and their zeta potential lower than for suspensions of vibro-ground alumina, the explanation being the considerably longer grinding time in a ball mill and the fact that in wet grinding a vigorous interaction proceeds between the solid and liquid phases directly in the grinding process.Alumina wet-ground in a ball mill contains more impurities after washing than alumina dry-ground in a vibro mill. The suspension of the former gives a faster rate of casting but the density and strength of the product are lower.Fired commercial alumina to be used for the production of high-quality dense-sintered refractory corundum ceramics should be dry-ground in a vibratory mill.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 6, pp. 44–51, June, 1977.