Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: A system for controlling center-to-outer flow distribution of extrudate source material through an extrusion die suitable for production of a honeycomb extrudate, and a method for fabricating a honeycomb extrudate, are provided. Sequentially arranged first and second plates define first and second pluralities of openings through which extrudate source material may flow, wherein at least some openings of the second plurality of openings arranged at different radial positions differ in area. Relative movement between the first plate and the second plate may be effectuated to adjust overlap between corresponding openings of the plates, thereby adjusting a center-to-outer flow distribution of extrudate source material through an extrusion die arranged downstream of the first and second plates.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: A method for green-to-fired shrinkage control in honeycomb ceramic article manufacture, including: measuring, prior to mixing, the particle size distribution properties of at least one fine particle size graphite pore former ingredient of a provided ceramic source batch mixture; calculating the expected shrinkage of the green body to the fired ceramic article based on the measured particle size distribution properties of the at least one fine particle graphite pore former; making the honeycomb ceramic article; measuring the shrinkage of the resulting fired honeycomb ceramic article; and adjusting the ceramic source batch mixture in a subsequent batch material schedule, as defined herein, wherein the adjusted ceramic source batch mixture provides finished honeycomb ceramic articles having controlled green-to-fired shrinkage.

Abstract: A method for reducing shrinkage variability of aluminum titanate honeycombs includes preparing an aluminum titanate-forming batch material that includes least one alkaline earth carbonate having a particle size distribution. The particle size distribution of the at least one alkaline earth carbonate is selected based on the predicted shrinkage during sintering of the aluminum titanate honeycombs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing porous ceramic articles is provided that includes forming a plurality of extruded green bodies from a ceramic precursor batch composition. The method also includes firing the extruded green bodies in a tunnel kiln to produce porous ceramic articles, periodically determining a shrinkage characteristic of at least one sample passing through the tunnel kiln, and adjusting a top soak temperature in the kiln if the shrinkage characteristic is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a batch mixture includes inorganic components, a non-polar carbon chain lubricant, and an organic surfactant having a polar head. The non-polar carbon chain lubricant and the organic surfactant are present in concentrations satisfying the relationship: B(C1(d+d0)+C2(f+f0))=SC, where: d0+d is an amount of non-polar carbon chain lubricant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; f0+f is an amount of organic surfactant in percent by weight of the inorganic components, by super addition; B is a scaling factor; C1 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the non-polar carbon chain lubricant; and C2 is a scaling factor of the concentration of the organic surfactant. Embodiments provide that 3.6?SC?14.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to aluminum titanate-forming batch materials comprising inorganic batch components comprising at least one alkaline earth carbonate having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic bodies includes systematically orienting the bodies during firing relative to a temperature gradient in a kiln. The systematic orientation of the bodies relative to the temperature gradient can allow for an average deviation of a measured shape of the ceramic bodies from a predetermined target contour shape to be less than what they would be if the bodies were oriented randomly relative to the temperature gradient.

Abstract: A precursor batch composition that can be used to make porous ceramic articles is provided. The batch composition includes a cellulose-based polymer and, in particular, a methylcellulose showing a specified micro-calorimetry thermal response fingerprint. The methylcellulose can also have a cloud point above a specified temperature.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic bodies includes systematically orienting the bodies during firing relative to a temperature gradient in a kiln. The systematic orientation of the bodies relative to the temperature gradient can allow for an average deviation of a measured shape of the ceramic bodies from a predetermined target contour shape to be less than what they would be if the bodies were oriented randomly relative to the temperature gradient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.

Abstract: A method for green-to-fired shrinkage control in honeycomb ceramic article manufacture, including: measuring, prior to mixing, the particle size distribution properties of at least one fine particle size graphite pore former ingredient of a provided ceramic source batch mixture; calculating the expected shrinkage of the green body to the fired ceramic article based on the measured particle size distribution properties of the at least one fine particle graphite pore former; making the honeycomb ceramic article; measuring the shrinkage of the resulting fired honeycomb ceramic article; and adjusting the ceramic source batch mixture in a subsequent batch material schedule, as defined herein, wherein the adjusted ceramic source batch mixture provides finished honeycomb ceramic articles having controlled green-to-fired shrinkage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to aluminum titanate-forming batch materials comprising inorganic batch components comprising at least one alkaline earth carbonate having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods.

Abstract: A method for reducing shrinkage variability of aluminum titanate honeycombs includes preparing an aluminum titanate-forming batch material that includes least one alkaline earth carbonate having a particle size distribution. The particle size distribution of the at least one alkaline earth carbonate is selected based on the predicted shrinkage during sintering of the aluminum titanate honeycombs.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for determining mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware, and methods for obtaining substantially consistent mixedness of batch material for making ceramic ware.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to ceramic-body-forming batch materials comprising at least one pore former and inorganic batch components comprising at least one silica source having a specified particle size distribution, methods of making ceramic bodies using the same, and ceramic bodies made in accordance with said methods. The disclosure additionally relates to methods for reducing pore size variability in ceramic bodies and/or reducing process variability in making ceramic bodies.