The dispersion of alumina powders in silica Sol has been investigated by ze
ta potential, sedimentation, and rheological measurements. Zeta potential o
f alumina in silica Sol changes significantly in comparison with that of al
umina in deionized water. This is caused by the absorption of silica colloi
dal particles with negative charge on the Surface of alumina particles. Sol
-dispersed alumina slurry shows a minimum in sedimentation volume and visco
sity around pH 10. The viscosity depends strongly on the silica Sol concent
ration and reaches a minimum in 10-15 wt,% silica sols. It is proposed that
the dispersion and stabilization of alumina particles in silica sol are at
tributed to the electrostatic and steric effects of the colloidal particles
absorption. Effects of pH, solids content and silica Sol concentration on
the rheological behavior of sol-dispersed alumina slurries are discussed in
detail. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.