The properties of aqueous slips of sialon were studied. Ammonium polyacryla
te was used as a deflocculant. It was shown that the apparent viscosity for
slips with solid content 40 vol % was low and the slip resulting from this
is almost Newtonian. This slip proved sufficiently fluid for casting. Howe
ver, the apparent viscosity for slips with solid content 45 vol % increased
significantly. The slips resulting from this exhibited dilatant flow and w
ere difficult to cast. The viscosity, fluidity, and pH of the slips were st
udied and tiles were cast and fired in nitrogen at 1740 degrees C for 3 h t
o a bulk density of 3.20 g cm(-3). (C) 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers.