Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2011
Aqueous colloidal routes for processing binary suspensions containing Al 2 O 3 and ZrO2 were designed and tested in order to achieve homogeneous microstructures. Effects of particle size and size ratio of each component, pH, and electrolyte concentration of composite suspensions on sedimentation, green density, and ZrO2 distribution in sintered microstructures were examined. The pH conditions for inhibiting differential sedimentation without impairing green density were optimized. Overall suspension and coagulation behavior for these composite systems were explained using the DLVO approach. Optimum balance of colloidal and gravitational forces occurred when the secondary minimum heterocoagulation was maximized.