What is Ceramics?
The ceramics industry covers both traditional ceramics (tiles, sanitary ware, tableware, refractories) and advanced ceramics (technical ceramic parts, wear-resistant components, electronic ceramics). Typical processes include powder preparation, mixing, slurry/paste formulation, forming (pressing, extrusion, slip casting, tape casting), drying, and sintering.
To achieve stable processing and high yield, formulators use functional additives to improve green strength, rheology control, dispersion/suspension stability, and defect reduction in forming and drying stages.
Common Challenges in Ceramics Manufacturing
Ceramics producers often face challenges such as:
- Insufficient green body strength causing breakage during handling, cutting, or demolding
- Rheology imbalance in slurry/paste (poor flow, too sticky, poor shape retention)
- Forming defects (cracking, warping, deformation) during drying and early firing stages
- Settling and segregation in ceramic slurries and glazes
- Air entrainment / foaming that leads to voids, pinholes, and surface defects
- Batch-to-batch variability due to raw material sensitivity and process window changes
High-Performance Additives for Ceramics
BOTAI provides a selection of functional polymers and processing additives to support ceramic slurry/paste formulation, forming stability, and yield improvement. In our product documentation, PVA is positioned for ceramic binder / ceramic adhesive-related applications; the following options can be screened to match your forming method and defect-control needs.
BOTAI PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) —PVA-2099
Function:
Binder and film-forming polymer for ceramic slurries/pastes, supporting green strength and forming stability (e.g., pressing / extrusion / casting systems).
Core Advantages:
Supports stronger green bodies and more robust handling. PVA-2099 is commonly selected where higher binder strength and process stability are required in ceramic-related systems. Practical dissolution method: disperse in water under ~30°C with stirring, add PVA slowly, mix 10–20 minutes, then heat and hold (around 90°C) to fully dissolve—helping deliver a stable binder solution for production (process dependent).
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VAMCELL® Cellulose Ethers (HPMC / HEMC)
Function:
Rheology modification and water management in ceramic forming systems, supporting extrusion stability, shape retention, and smoother processing behavior.
Core Advantages:
Helps tune flow vs. shape balance and improves forming consistency; supports more stable processing windows for ceramic pastes and slurries (system dependent).
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BOTAI Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC)
Function:
Viscosity control and suspension support for ceramic slurries/glazes where additional rheology tuning is needed.
Core Advantages:
Multiple viscosity grades provide flexible tuning for different solids loading and shear conditions; helps improve consistency and reduce settling risk during storage and processing (system dependent).
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BOVICO® Defoamer
Function:
Foam and micro-foam control during slurry preparation, dispersion, and mixing—reducing entrapped air and defect formation.
Core Advantages:
Helps reduce voids, pinholes, and surface defects; supports more stable processing and improved yield through cleaner slurry handling.
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With suitable grade selection and process validation, these additives can help you achieve:
Improved green strength and reduced breakage during handling and drying
More stable forming behavior (better extrusion stability and shape retention)
More consistent slurry/paste rheology and reduced settling/segregation risk
Fewer defects related to foam/entrapped air (voids, pinholes, surface defects)
Higher production yield with improved batch-to-batch consistency
Note: Actual performance depends on ceramic powder system, solids content, forming method, moisture window, drying schedule, and sintering curve. Lab and pilot trials are recommended.
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To support your evaluation for ceramic production, BOTAI can provide:
TDS / SDS and technical guidance
Free samples for lab screening and pilot validation
Packaging, lead time, and supply coordination
Grade recommendation based on forming method (pressing / extrusion / casting), solids content, and key defect issues
FAQ
BOTAI PVA is positioned for ceramic binder/ceramic adhesive-related applications. In practice, it is commonly evaluated to improve green strength and forming stability. We can recommend a short screening list (e.g., PVA-1788 / PVA-2099 / PVA-2488) based on your forming method.
PVA is typically selected primarily as a binder/strength contributor, while cellulose ethers are often used to tune rheology and shape retention—especially in extrusion-based systems. Many ceramic formulations use them in different roles depending on process needs.
A common approach is: mix water below ~30°C, add PVA slowly under stirring, disperse 10–20 minutes, then heat and hold around 90°C to fully dissolve. Share your target concentration and tank setup for a more tailored trial SOP.
Dosage is formulation- and process-dependent. We typically propose a starting trial range after you share solids loading, forming method, and your main issues (cracking / warping / voids / settling).