A test system was developed to measure cake growth for an alumina slip
using a uniaxial, planar slip, casting assembly. This technique utili
zes transducers configured in a pulse-echo mode to monitor cake thickn
ess as a function of casting time. Studies were performed to determine
the effect of varying slip properties on the attenuation of ultrasoun
d. The ultrasonic velocity was independent of solid loading, phi(s) =
0.27-0.43, and slip viscosity, eta = 85-300 mPa s. In addition, transd
ucers with frequencies varying from 0.5 to 5 MHz were studied to deter
mine the best frequency for monitoring the casting kinetics. A transdu
cer frequency of 1 MHz was found to give the best peak resolution, and
thus was best for monitoring cake thickness.