Preparation of corundum and steatite ceramics by the freeze-drying method

The flexural strength and surface and fracture structures of ceramics samples dried by the traditional thermal method were compared with those of equivalent samples dried by the freeze-drying method. The freezing temperatures of the corundum, mullite and steatite slips, were determined. Drying by the freeze-drying technique resulted in smoother sample surfaces and increased flexural strenght of the corundum and mullite ceramics.