FORMATION OF PORE STRUCTURE IN TAPE-CAST ALUMINA MEMBRANES - EFFECTS OF BINDER CONTENT AND FIRING TEMPERATURE

Disc type ceramic aluminium oxide membrane has been prepared by tape c asting technique. Thickness of this single layer membrane is in the ra nge 200-300 mu m. Porosity and pore size distribution have been determ ined by mercury porosimetry. Polymeric binder content of the green tap e and the firing temperature are found to have strong influence on the average pore size, pore size distribution and overall porosity. Highe r binder content promotes agglomeration of the ceramic particles, whic h on firing leads to wider pore size distribution and formation of clo sed pores. Pore coarsening is observed with increasing firing temperat ure. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.