Slip Casting
This method is for manufacturing powder based ceramic components like tableware and sanitary ware. However this method is also used for manufacturing advanced ceramic products too. Slip Casting is a filtration process. In this process a powder suspension (a water-based suspension) is poured into a plaster mould, which by its porosity creates capillary forces and removes liquid from the suspension (slip). When the liquid (filtrate) is drawn into the plaster mould, the powder particles are forced towards the mould walls and a consolidated layer (filter cake) is gradually built up.
When a layer of desirable thickness has been obtained, the casting process is stopped either by having the excess slip removed, or by letting the casting fronts approach each other in the centre of the piece to form a solid body. After a certain drying period, the shaped piece can be released from the mould for further drying and firing (sintering).
To be Contd…
