Rheological testing and evaluation of ceramic suspensions, Part I

Modern rheological measuring methods are being increasingly applied in the ceramics industry (especially ceramic sanitaryware, porcelain, fine stoneware) for the evaluation of row materials and resulting working bodies (i.e. slips, prepared bodies). The increasing use of rotation viscosimetry by several laboratories in the fine ceramics industry, as substitution of or in addition to traditional measuring methods for establishing rheological parameters of suspensions, has also been observed. In this article, rheological models and the basic principles of rheology are presented (Part I). Furthermore, the testing and evaluation of ceramic raw materials and body suspensions is described (Part II). Rotation viscosimetry is compared with testing methods that have been employed and applied up to now, thereby considering the pros and cons of different rheological measuring methods.