Influence of the suspension flocculated state on the microstructure of alumina spheres elaborated by colloidal granulation

A process of granulation by a colloidal method based on ceramic powder agglomeration makes it possible to produce millimetric spheres with a very homogeneous distribution in terms of shape and size. The starting suspension consists of a mixture of alumina submicrometer particles and silica nanoparticles such as mSiO(2)/mAl(2)O(3) = 1.1%. Heterocoagulation between the two oxides occurs forming a flocculated network the structure of which can be modified by a shear application. The outer appearance of the spheres is nearly perfect whereas the inner structure exhibits some defects (cracks and porosity). It has been shown that the green spheres are more porous as well as the grains of the starting suspension are less flocculated. During the drying step, the high mobility of these agglomerates increases the overall density on the surface and leads to the formation of a spherical empty cavity in the sphere centre. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.