Preparation and properties of lightweight pottery using Shirasuballoon

Abstract

Preparation and some properties of 20 and/or 30 mass % Shirasuballoons (diameter 6.6,10.4 and 31.5μm) added lightweight pottery were studied to develop their high strength with high porosity. Mixed slip of Shirasuballoons and pottery clay was prepared by adding 0.3 mass% water glass. The green compacts consolidated by a slip casting were dried at 110°C and sintered at 1150-1250°C for Ih in air. Bulk density of the lightweight pottery was decreased by addition of Shirasuballoons. Closed porosities of the lightweight pottery were almost independent on diameters of Shirasuballoons. Open porosities of the lightweight pottery, however, were affected by the diameter of Shirasuballoon. The open porosity of the lightweight decreased with the addition of 20 and 30 mass % Shirasuballoons in diameter of 6.6 /on, compared with that of without Shirasuballoons, but they increased with the addition of 20 mass% Shirasuballoons in diameter of 10.4 and 31.5 μm. Flexural strength of the lightweight pottery do not decreased with the addition of Shirasuballoons in diameter of 6.6 μm: compared with that of original pottery clay, but decreased with the addition of Shirasuballoons in diameter of 10.4 and 31.5 μm.