Rheological studies on cordierite honeycomb extrusion

The rheological parameters for a cordierite honeycomb extrusion were investigated using the Benbow-Bridgwater model. The extrusion pastes were formulated using typical binders, plasticizers, lubricants and pore-forming agents normally used for such extrusions. Pastes were found to have good pseudo-plasticity, low bulk yield and very low die-land shear stress, compared with the velocity dependent components of the respective pressure drops. In some formulation, reduced velocity contribution to the extrusion pressure with increased binder content found useful for better honeycomb extrusion. These characteristics of the honeycomb extrusion batches were analyzed by using dynamic bulk and shear stress components derived from the Benbow-Bridgwater six-parameter model and compared with the results of honeycomb extrusion trials. Plasticizing agents like polyethylenglycol (PEG) and glycerin were found to decrease the die entry pressure but showed no external lubricating effect leading to higher die-land pressure. Pore-forming agent, graphite was found to reduce both die entry and die land pressures, whereas, carbon increases the die entry pressure. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.