Mechanisms Affecting Dispersion Stability

Steric Stabilization - this involves polymers added to the system adsorbing onto the particle surface and causing repulsion

  • It is a simple process requiring just the addition of a suitable polymer
  • However it can be difficult to subsequently flocculate the system if required
  • The polymer can be expensive and in some cases undesirable (e.g. when a ceramic slip is cast the polymer has to be burnt out causing shrinkage and possible defects)
Steric Stabilization



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