Influence of albumin and methylcellulose additives on the mechanical behaviour of mullite-based cellular green bodies

Abstract

In this work, the influence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and methylcellulose (MC) as processing additives on the mechanical behaviour of the mullite-based cellular green bodies determined by diametral compression was studied. Two different forming routes were used to prepare compacts, which are based on the thermal treatment of aqueous suspensions foamed by mechanical stirring. The cellular microstructure of the green bodies was characterized in detail, by the use of 3D-stereological analysis. Parameters obtained relative to the cells’ features (amount, size, type, morphology, etc.) were related to the forming route and the composition of each system. Stress-strain curves were obtained from load-displacement data, and which, together with those calculated mechanical parameters, were ranalyzed in order to get information about the role of the organic binder system.