Abstract: An extrusion die (16) including a plurality of pins (38) having side surfaces defining an intersecting array of slots (30) extending axially into the die (16) from a discharge face (34) of the die (16). A plurality of feedholes (28) extend axially from an inlet face (32) of the die (16) opposite to the discharge face (34). The feedholes (28) connect with the slots (30) at intersections (35) within the die (16) to create a flow path from the inlet face (32) to the discharge face (34). A first coating (42) is on at least a portion of the feedholes (28) in a first zone (46) extending over a first axial length of the flow path. A second coating (44) that is different than the first coating (42) is on at least a portion of the side surfaces (37) of the pins (38) in a second zone (48) extending over a second axial length of the flow path. Methods of fabricating an extrusion die (16) and manufacturing a ceramic article (100), such as a honeycomb body, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A honeycomb body having a cutout, an assembly including the honeycomb body, and a method of manufacturing. The method includes forming the honeycomb body having a matrix of intersecting walls that define a plurality of cells and channels extending longitudinally through the honeycomb body. A subset of the channels are plugged to create a plurality of plugged cells in a reinforcement region of the honeycomb body. Material is removed from the honeycomb body within the reinforcement region in accordance with a peripheral shape that passes through the plugged cells to form a cutout that extends an axial depth into the honeycomb body.

Abstract: Batch mixtures comprising alumina trihydrate for forming ceramic honeycomb bodies comprised of cordierite and methods of manufacturing honeycomb bodies from such batch mixtures are provided.

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: Batch mixtures for forming ceramic honeycomb bodies and methods of manufacturing honeycomb bodies from such batch mixtures are provided. The batch mixtures comprise.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

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: Disclosed herein are methods for controlling and/or predicting the shrinkage and/or growth of a ceramic honeycomb structure between a green body state and a fired state by adjusting the hydrated alumina content of the batch composition. Also disclosed herein is substantially clay-free cordierite honeycombs produced in accordance with such methods.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for controlling and/or predicting the shrinkage and/or growth of a ceramic honeycomb structure between a green body state and a fired state by adjusting the hydrated alumina content of the batch composition. Also disclosed herein is substantially clay-free cordierite honeycombs produced in accordance with such methods.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

Abstract: An extrusion apparatus including a die and a mask are provided such that no slots feed directly into the longitudinal skin forming gap between the mask and the die. In a method of forming a die adapted to improve skin uniformity of extruded cellular ceramic substrates a slotted block of die material is provided including central slots adapted to form a cellular matrix of the substrate and peripheral slots located outwardly of the central slots designed to be covered by a skin former mask and adapted to extrude peripheral batch material. An arcuate skin former is cut corresponding to a target shrinkage so as to intersect the slotted block such that skin flow from tangent slots at 90 degree positions of the die is limited to the peripheral batch material.

Abstract: A die apparatus and methods of making a die body can provide a skin slot extending through a honeycomb network and an end portion of a plurality of pins, wherein the skin slot includes opposed sides that are each in fluid communication with the honeycomb network. In further embodiments, methods are provided for co-extruding a honeycomb body and an integral skin with a die body including a skin slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing strengthened ceramic honeycomb articles having thickened peripheral web segments by extruding, drying and firing honeycomb shapes formed by the extrusion of plasticized ceramic powder batches through honeycomb extrusion dies having peripheral slots incorporating outer widened slot portions of controlled depths, the controlled depths being selected to increase ceramic powder batch flow through the peripheral slots to a degree sufficient to form the thickened web segments but insufficient to cause geometric distortion of the thickened web segments.