ESA measurement for electrophoretic deposition of ceramic materials

The aim of this work is the preparation of a ceramic material consisting of two solid components by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from aqueous susp ensions. This method is based on the motion of charged particles in the ele ctric field. Conditions for homogeneous and for graded deposition should be detected. For this purpose the electrokinetic properties of commercial alu mina and zirconia powders were investigated by measuring the electrokinetic sonic amplitude (ESA) using the ESA 8000 system (Matec). The conditions fo r EPD were chosen from the electrokinetic properties. The amount of polyele ctrolyte addition influences the rate of deposition and the homogeneity of the deposited layer. If the mobilities of the components differ in their ma gnitude and if there are no interactions a concentration gradient across th e thickness of the layer can be adjusted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. Al l rights reserved.