There are many different ways to achieve a ceramic slurry that will suspend. However to optimize flow, gel, suspension and other rheological properties requires a knowledge of the mechanism of each type of material that affects these properties.
- Gum can act as a suspending agent by virtue of the fact that it thickens the slurry.
- Used to thicken glaze slurries.
- 1-3% bentonite can greatly improve glaze suspension by geling it. In addition it will harden the dry layer. Coarser varieties can impart some glaze speck. If a glaze already contains more than 15% clay (kaolin, ball clay) you should not need more than 1% bentonite.
- An attapulgite clay.
- Gels glaze slurries.
- Ball clay is a fine particled clay that is universally used in glazes for suspension. If 15-20% is present no other suspender should be needed.
- Kaolin is the most common glaze suspender. Depending on the type of kaolin used, 15-20% should be enough. Many fritted glazes are composed solely of frit and kaolin. Some kaolins make the glaze gel, this is a helpful additional mechanism to keep it suspended.
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