Deflocculant
A deflocculant is a chemical substance, such as sodium silicate, sodium carbonate or soda ash, which is added to a slip or engobe to increase its fluidity without adding more water. It works by dispersing the clay particles, which in their natural state tend to agglomerate due to electrostatic forces. By separating them, the viscosity of the mixture is reduced, making it easier to handle and improving its performance in ceramic processes.
The use of deflocculants is critical in techniques such as slip casting, where slip is required to flow easily to fill molds evenly, while maintaining a consistent density to form strong, homogeneous walls. This ensures uniform part thickness, minimizes defects such as air bubbles or settling and reduces the risk of deformation during drying and firing. In addition, working with deflocculated slips reduces the water content in the mix, which reduces shrinkage during drying and speeds up production times.Interesting Fact
In some cases, combinations of different deflocculants can be used to achieve specific effects, adjusting the viscosity and fluidity of the slip according to the needs of the process.Helpful Tip
it is crucial to carefully adjust the amount of deflocculant, as too much can lead to overdeflocculation, causing phase separation or loss of cohesion in the mixture. The selection of the type and proportion of deflocculant must be adapted to the specific characteristics of the clay and the ceramic process to obtain the best results.