Abstract: Improved extrusion dies are described herein for manufacturing a honeycomb body structure (330) from honeycomb extrudate (104). An improved extrusion die (102) comprises a swell relief feature in a discharge slot (218) of the extrusion die (102) that is disposed upstream of a discharge surface (214) of the extrusion die (102). The swell relief feature comprises a change in the width (W) of the discharge slot (218).

Abstract: Ceramic honeycomb bodies and methods for then manufacture are provided. The ceramic honeycomb body comprises a bulk density of less than 210 g/L, a geometric surface area (GSA) greater than 93 in?1 (3.66 mm?1), a mechanical integrity factor (MIF) greater than 0.28%, and a back pressure factor (BPF) greater than 0.4 mm2.

Abstract: Methods for making ceramic articles, and methods for reducing extrusion pressure during processes of making ceramic articles, are disclosed. The methods include mixing a ceramic batch composition comprising amylose and amylopectin in an amylose:amylopectin ratio ranging from about 30:70 to about 95:5, and extruding the ceramic batch composition through an extrusion die to form an extruded green ceramic article.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body in a kiln may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body in four stages. The first stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature that at a first heating rate that is greater than or equal to about 75° C./hr. The second stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the first temperature to a second temperature at a second heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The third stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the second temperature to a hold temperature at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The fourth stage may include holding the green honeycomb ceramic body at the hold temperature to remove residual carbon.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of less than or equal to about 350° C. with at least one heating rate of greater than or equal to about 80° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the second temperature to a third temperature of greater than or equal to about 1000° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body may include aluminum raw materials for forming an aluminum titanate ceramic body.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of less than or equal to about 350° C. with at least one heating rate of greater than or equal to about 80° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the second temperature to a third temperature of greater than or equal to about 1000° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body may include aluminum raw materials for forming an aluminum titanate ceramic body.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of about 300° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body is then heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may have a diameter of from greater than or equal to about 4.0 inches to less than or equal to about 9.0 inches, and it may include a carbon-based pore former in a concentration of from greater than or equal to about 10% to less than or equal to about 45% by weight.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of about 300° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body is then heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may have a diameter of from greater than or equal to about 4.0 inches to less than or equal to about 9.0 inches, and it may include a carbon-based pore former in a concentration of from greater than or equal to about 10% to less than or equal to about 45% by weight.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body including heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature of less than or equal to about 350° C. with at least one heating rate of greater than or equal to about 80° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the first temperature to a second temperature of greater than or equal to about 800° C. at a heating rate of greater than or equal to about 90° C./hr. The green honeycomb ceramic body may be heated from the second temperature to a third temperature of greater than or equal to about 1000° C. The green honeycomb ceramic body may include aluminum raw materials for forming an aluminum titanate ceramic body.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body in a kiln may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body in four stages. The first stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature that at a first heating rate that is greater than or equal to about 75° C./hr. The second stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the first temperature to a second temperature at a second heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The third stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the second temperature to a hold temperature at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The fourth stage may include holding the green honeycomb ceramic body at the hold temperature to remove residual carbon.