Syllabus

Experiment 1: Shear-thinning and shear-thickening behavior of the slurry: Requirements: Clay, quartz, bauxite powder, DI water, Darvan C, NaSiO3, measuring cylinders, 100 mL pots, porcelain balls, rheometer. 3 Hours

Experiment 2: Determination of particle size and particle size distribution by Andreasen pipette method: Requirements: Ball clay, China clay, Darvan C, Andreasen pipette, weighing machine, hot air oven, Petri dish, glass stirrer, DI water. 3 Hours

Experiment 3: Compaction behavior of clay-based (Triaxial body) ceramics and determination of agglomeration breakpoint: Requirements: Ball/China clay, quartz, feldspar, PVA, weighing machine, DI water, hydraulic press, die (25 mm diameter). 3 Hours

Experiment 4: Effect of grinding on the alpha to beta quartz transformation behavior using DSC-XRD analysis: Requirements: Quartz powder, capped pot, porcelain ball, planetary mill, Particle size analyzer, beaker, ultrasonicator, DI water, TG-DSC apparatus, XRD apparatus. 3 Hours

Experiment 5: Drying behavior of clay-sand mixture with different moisture level: Requirements: China/Ball clay, DI water, knife/blade, measuring scale/ruler, drying oven, wet cloth, weighing balance, small tray (4 pc), transparent glass sheets. 3 Hours

Experiment 6: Effect of binder content on apparent porosity, bulk density, and green strength (CCS, DTS): Requirements: China/Ball clay, quartz, PVA, DI water, hydraulic press, die, weighing balance, vacuum pump, AP measurement setup. 3 Hours

Experiment 7: Rheological behavior and optimization of deflocculant concentration for a stable slip preparation: Requirements: China clay, DI water, deflocculant (Darvan C, NaSiO3, Na2CO3, STP, etc.) graduated cylinders (6 pc), planetary mill, capped pot, porcelain ball, aluminum foil, weighing balance, stirring rod. 3 Hours

Experiment 8: Preparation and characterization of MgAl2O4 spinel by citrate-nitrate route: Requirements: Mg and Al-nitrate salt, citric acid, DI water, EG/PEG, beakers, hot plate, weighing balance, petri dish, pH meter, pH paper, drying oven, XRD/SEM apparatus. 3 Hours

Experiment 9: Measurement of the diametral tensile strength and the flexural strength of fired clay and triaxial bodies: Requirements: China/Ball clay, quartz, feldspar, Vernier calipers, drying oven, 1200ºC box furnace, Instron UTM, XRD. 3 Hours


Experiment 10: Slip casting of a clay-based body and establishing the relationship between thickness cast and casting time: Requirements: China/Ball clay, sieve, beaker, graduated cylinder, Vernier calipers, Plaster of Paris mold, Darvan C, PVA, stearic acid. 3 Hours


Experiment 11: Determination of plastic limit and liquid limit from Atterberg plasticity index: Requirements: China/Ball clay, quartz, feldspar, sieve, glass stirring rod, petridish, beaker, graduated cylinder, Darvan C, PVA, stearic acid. 3 Hours


Experiment 12: Deformation behavior of a plastic clay/triaxial body using Pfefferkorn plasticity tester: Requirements: China/Ball clay, quartz, feldspar, sieve, beaker, graduated cylinder, glass stirring rod, petridish, Darvan C, PVA, stearic acid. 3 Hours

To provide hands-on experience in various ceramic processing routes.

To impart and develop a fundamental understanding of ceramic part processing and fabrication phenomena at the postgraduate level for ceramic engineering students.

Develop prototype finished products using clay-based traditional ceramics and understand how different process parameters control microstructure and properties.

Apply theoretical knowledge to independently synthesize ceramic materials in bulk, porous, and powder forms.

Analyze industrial ceramic processing phenomena and develop prototype products at the laboratory scale.

Demonstrate hands-on proficiency in advanced ceramic processing techniques at the laboratory scale.

Design conventional and advanced ceramic products at the laboratory scale to address emerging technological needs.

Implement ceramic fabrication methods, perform analytical characterization, and effectively document and present results within stipulated timelines.

P Saha, Laboratory Manual for Advanced Ceramic Processing Laboratory, In house , Provided during Laboratory

James S Reed, Principles of Ceramic Fabrication, John Wiley & Sons , textbook

M.N. Rahman, Ceramic Processing & Sintering, Marcel Dekker Inc , textbook