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)

Return to "Definition of Terms"