How does a Deflocculant work?

Deflocculants are electrolyte-sourcing liquids or powders (like sodium silicate, Darvan) that are added in small amounts. They work their magic by imparting electrical charges to clay particles making them repel each other (more accurately it is said to be a condition where repulsive forces predominate).

What is Deflocculant?

: an agent that causes deflocculation specifically : a chemical (as sodium carbonate) added to a clay slip to minimize settling out.

What are Deflocculating agents?

An agent that prevents fine soil particles or clay particles in suspension from coalescing to form flocs.

Is Epsom salt a Deflocculant?

To use Epsom salts as a flocculant, the salts need to be dissolved in water. This breaks up the bond between the magnesium and the sulphate so the magnesium ions are free to attach themselves to the clay particles. When you add Epsom salts to water they’ll dissolve and seemingly disappear into the liquid.

What is a function of Deflocculant in the processing of ceramics part?

The deflocculation process is the magic behind the ceramic casting process. It enables you to make a slurry of far lower water content and thus lower shrinkage.

Is Epsom salts a Deflocculant?

What is Deflocculation and flocculation?

The key difference between flocculation and deflocculation is that flocculation is the formation of flocs by the clumping of fine particles, whereas deflocculation is the dispersion of flocs to form a stable colloid. Flocculation refers to the formation of clumps from fine particles in a colloid.

Why is my glaze separating?

One common cause of settling out is the addition of too much water to the glaze, which dilutes the effect of the suspending agents and allows some of the glaze ingredients to settle out. Another possibility is the growth of bacteria which will consume an organic gum, such as CMC, and will lead to loss of suspension.

Is sodium silicate a Deflocculant?

Sodium silicate is the common name for a compound sodium metasilicate, Na 2SiO 3, and is also referred to as liquid glass. Sodium silicate is commonly used in ceramics as a deflocculant in slip preparation by neutralizing the charges of particles in the slip, allowing for more even suspension and thinning.

How are deflocculants used to prevent flocculation?

Deflocculants are substances which prevent flocculation by increasing zeta potential and therefore the repulsive forces between particles. The mechanisms by which deflocculants act can be enumerated as follows:

How does a deflocculant affect the viscosity of particles?

The term “deflocculant” denotes a substance which, when added to scattered particles in suspension, causes a reduction in apparent viscosity. Deflocculants are substances which prevent flocculation by increasing zeta potential and therefore the repulsive forces between particles.

What does deflocculation mean in an alkaline environment?

In an alkaline environment the particles repulse each other, this state is called “deflocculation”. In the state of deflocculation, the charges on the particles have been neutralized, the particles remain in suspension as single units, with a consequent reduction in viscosity.