Ceramic precursor batch composition and method of increasing ceramic precursor batch extrusion rate

Abstract

A ceramic precursor batch composition comprising inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients, a hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder having a molecular weight less than or equal to about 300,000 g/mole and an aqueous solvent is provided. The ceramic precursor batch composition has a ratio of binder to aqueous solvent of less than about 0.32. The ceramic precursor batch composition may be used to increase the rate of extrusion of the composition. A method for increasing a rate of extrusion of a ceramic precursor batch composition is also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ceramic precursor batch composition, comprising:
 inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients;   a hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder having a molecular weight less than or equal to about 300,000 g/mole;   an aqueous solvent; and   wherein MC/W is less than about 0.32, MC is a weight % of the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder based on a 100% of the inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients, and W is a weight % of water based on the 100% of the inorganic ceramic-forming ingredients.   
     
     
         2 . The ceramic paste composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder has a molecular weight of from about 50,000 g/mole to about 300,000 g/mole. 
     
     
         3 . The ceramic paste composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder has a molecular weight of from about 100,000 g/mole to about 200,000 g/mole. 
     
     
         4 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder has a molecular weight of from about 200,000 g/mole. 
     
     
         5 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder has a molecular weight of from about 100,000 g/mole. 
     
     
         6 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous solvent is water. 
     
     
         7 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein MC/W is less than about 0.22. 
     
     
         8 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder comprises methylcellulose, ethylhydroxy ethylcellulose, hydroxybutyl methylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl methylcellulose, hydroxybutylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, sodium carboxy methylcellulose or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder comprises at least two hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers having different molecular weights. 
     
     
         10 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder comprises at least two hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers having different molecular weights and wherein the at least two hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers have different hydrophobic groups, different concentrations of the same hydrophobic group or both. 
     
     
         11 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the ceramic precursor batch composition comprises aluminum titanate-forming ingredients. 
     
     
         12 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein ceramic precursor batch composition comprises from about 3 wt % to about 10 wt % of the hydrophobically modified cellulose ether binder. 
     
     
         13 . The ceramic precursor batch composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises cordierite, mullite, clay, talc, zircon, zirconia, spinel, aluminas and their precursors, silicas and their precursors, silicates, aluminates, lithium aluminosilicates, alumina silica, feldspar, titania, fused silica, nitrides, carbides, borides, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, soda lime, aluminosilicate, borosilicate, soda barium borosilicate or mixtures of thereof.