Ceramic / Glass Additives

ceramic glass additives

Acrylic Ceramic Binder (PAA)

CAS: 9003-01-4

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) and its ammonium or sodium salt copolymers are used as binders and dispersants in aqueous ceramic tape casting, screen printing pastes, and multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) slurries. These acrylic binders deliver strong green films with controlled flexibility, and decompose cleanly at low sintering temperatures.

ceramic glass additives

Alumina Fiber Ceramic Composite Reinforcement

CAS: 1344-28-1

Polycrystalline alumina (Al2O3) fibers are high-performance refractory reinforcements for ceramic matrix composites (CMC), thermal insulation modules, and metal matrix composites. Available in short-fiber and continuous-fiber forms, alumina fibers provide excellent tensile strength, creep resistance at temperatures up to 1400 °C, and chemical stability in oxidizing atmospheres.

ceramic glass additives

Ammonium Polyacrylate Ceramic Deflocculant

CAS: 9003-04-7

Ammonium polyacrylate (APA) is the ammonium-neutralized form of polyacrylic acid, used as a premium dispersant for alumina and other technical oxide ceramic slips. It provides excellent steric stabilization without introducing sodium ions, making it ideal for applications requiring high purity and low alkali contamination such as electronic substrates and MLCC green sheets.

ceramic glass additives

Ammonium Polymethacrylate Ceramic Deflocculant (Darvan Type)

Ammonium polymethacrylate (APMA) is a premium polymeric dispersant functionally equivalent to Vanderbilt Darvan C and Darvan 7-N, widely used in studio and industrial ceramics for deflocculating casting slips. APMA provides excellent electrosteric stabilization of clay, alumina, and mixed ceramic systems at very low dosages (0.1–0.3% on solids), producing fluid slips with high solids content and excellent casting behavior.

ceramic glass additives

Barium Carbonate for BaTiO3 Ceramics

CAS: 513-77-9

High-purity barium carbonate (BaCO3) is the primary barium source for synthesis of barium titanate (BaTiO3) and other barium-containing electronic ceramics, perovskite oxides, and specialty glasses. Stoichiometric control of the Ba/Ti ratio in BaTiO3 is critical for dielectric properties in multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC). BaCO3 decomposes at ~1000 °C to reactive BaO during sintering.

ceramic glass additives

Bismuth Oxide Ceramic Flux and Dopant

CAS: 1304-76-3

Bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) is a versatile low-melting flux and functional dopant in ceramic and glass applications. In ZnO varistors, 0.5–1 mol% Bi2O3 creates intergranular amorphous layers responsible for non-linear varistor characteristics. In LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramics), bismuth-containing frits enable densification below 900 °C, compatible with silver and gold electrode metallization.

ceramic glass additives

Borosilicate Glass Frit for Ceramics

CAS: 65997-17-3

Borosilicate glass frit is a pre-fused glass powder used in ceramic glazes, enamel coatings, and electronic packaging glass seals. The B2O3 component lowers the glass transition temperature and thermal expansion coefficient compared to soda-lime silicate, providing chemical durability and thermal shock resistance. Used across tile, tableware, and technical ceramic glaze applications requiring reliable mid-fire to high-fire properties.

ceramic glass additives

Calcined Kaolin (Metakaolin) Ceramic Filler

CAS: 1332-58-7

Calcined kaolin (metakaolin, Al2Si2O7) is produced by thermal treatment of kaolin clay above 550 °C to remove structural hydroxyl groups. The resulting dehydroxylated product has high reactivity, enhanced brightness, and improved electrical properties compared to raw kaolin. Widely used as a functional filler in porcelain, technical ceramics, and glass-ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Calcium Oxide Ceramic Sintering Aid

CAS: 1305-78-8

Calcium oxide (CaO) is a reactive sintering aid used in BaTiO3-based dielectric ceramics, calcia-stabilized zirconia, and Si3N4 ceramics. In BaTiO3, CaO modifies grain growth kinetics and lowers sintering temperature. In zirconia, CaO (3–8 mol%) stabilizes the cubic phase for oxygen ion conductors. CaO must be handled carefully due to its strong hygroscopicity and exothermic reaction with water.

ceramic glass additives

Carboxymethylcellulose Ceramic Binder

CAS: 9004-32-4

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is an anionic cellulose derivative used as a binder, thickener, and dispersant in ceramic slips, glazes, and pressing powders. It improves green strength and workability while acting as a co-deflocculant in aqueous ceramic suspensions. CMC burns out cleanly, making it suitable for technical and traditional ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Ceramic Mold Release Agent

Ceramic mold release agents are formulated to prevent adhesion between ceramic green bodies and tooling during pressing, extrusion, and injection molding. Offerings include petroleum jelly-based pastes, boron nitride aerosol sprays, stearic acid solutions, and silicone-free formulations for applications where silicone contamination must be avoided. Proper release agent selection minimizes surface defects and extends mold service life.

ceramic glass additives

Ceria Dopant for Zirconia SOFC Electrolyte

CAS: 1306-38-3

Cerium dioxide (CeO2) is used as a dopant in gadolinia-doped ceria (GDC) and samaria-doped ceria (SDC) electrolytes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFC). CeO2 also serves as a phase stabilizer in zirconia, a catalytic promoter in automotive catalysts, and a polishing compound for glass and optical components.

ceramic glass additives

Chromium Oxide Green Ceramic Pigment

CAS: 1308-38-9

Chromium sesquioxide (Cr2O3) is a highly stable green ceramic colorant and refractory material, producing consistent grass-green to deep bottle-green colors across oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. Cr2O3 is also used as the base pigment in chrome-tin pink and chrome-alumina pink ceramic stains, and as a high-purity refractory oxide in specialty ceramics for glass-melting applications.

ceramic glass additives

Citric Acid Ceramic Dispersant

CAS: 77-92-9

Citric acid is a low-molecular-weight organic dispersant and pH modifier used in ceramic slips, glazes, and colloidal suspensions. It chelates multi-valent cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+) at particle surfaces, reducing agglomeration and viscosity. Particularly effective for stabilizing alumina and zirconia slips at acidic pH, and as a burnout-free dispersant in electronic ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Cobalt Oxide Blue Ceramic Colorant

CAS: 1307-96-6

Cobalt oxide (CoO) is the most powerful and stable blue colorant for ceramic glazes and bodies, stable across both oxidizing and reducing atmospheres at all normal firing temperatures. At 0.2–0.5%, CoO produces intense cobalt blue in clear glazes; at higher concentrations it yields navy and black tones. Widely used in underglaze decoration, blue-and-white porcelain, and cobalt-blue frit production.

ceramic glass additives

Copper Oxide Ceramic Pigment and Dopant

CAS: 1317-38-0

Cupric oxide (CuO) is a ceramic colorant and functional dopant that produces green to black colors depending on glaze chemistry and firing atmosphere. In reduction firing, Cu2+ is partially reduced to Cu+, yielding copper-red glazes. CuO is also used as a sintering aid in mullite and alumina ceramics, as a p-type semiconductor in sensor applications, and as a catalyst in certain ceramic compositions.

ceramic glass additives

Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Ceramic Binder

CAS: 24937-78-8

Ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) serves as a backbone binder and toughening agent in wax-based ceramic injection molding and low-pressure injection molding systems. EVA provides flexibility and cohesion to wax binder blends, improves flow at elevated temperatures, and burns out cleanly in two-stage debinding processes.

ceramic glass additives

Hexagonal Boron Nitride Thermal Ceramic Additive

CAS: 10043-11-5

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a layered ceramic material with unique properties combining high thermal conductivity (300–600 W/m·K in-plane), electrical insulation, chemical inertness, and excellent lubrication. Used as a thermal management filler in ceramic composites, a sintering additive in Si3N4 ceramics, and a release coating for high-temperature ceramic molds.

ceramic glass additives

Humic Acid Ceramic Deflocculant (Dolapix Analog)

CAS: 1415-93-6

Humic acid-based deflocculants are natural polyelectrolyte dispersants functionally analogous to commercial products such as Dolapix CE64. They adsorb strongly onto alumina and oxide surfaces, providing electrosteric stabilization and enabling ultra-low viscosity slips at high solids content. Suitable for colloidal processing, gel casting, and direct coagulation casting of advanced ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Iron Oxide Red Ceramic Pigment

CAS: 1309-37-1

Ferric oxide (Fe2O3, hematite) is the most commonly used red-to-brown ceramic colorant, producing warm earth tones across a wide range of ceramic systems and firing temperatures. At low concentrations (1–3%), Fe2O3 creates tan and amber glazes; at 5–10%, rich iron-red and reddish-brown tones result. In reduction firing, Fe2O3 is partially reduced to FeO, producing celadon and tenmoku glaze effects.

ceramic glass additives

Lead-Free Glaze Frit Base

Lead-free borosilicate and alkali-borosilicate frits are the backbone of modern ceramic glaze systems, replacing traditional lead-containing frits to comply with EU REACH, RoHS, and California Prop 65 regulations. These fused, quenched glass materials provide controlled melting ranges (900–1200 °C), excellent gloss, and chemical resistance when applied as opaque or transparent ceramic coatings.

ceramic glass additives

Lignosulfonate Ceramic Binder

CAS: 8062-15-5

Sodium and calcium lignosulfonates are by-product binders from the pulp and paper industry, widely used in refractory and structural ceramic applications. They provide strong inter-particle bonding in pressing and ramming mixes, act as temporary binders for magnesia and alumina refractories, and are economical alternatives to synthetic binders in high-volume production.

ceramic glass additives

Low-Temperature Ceramic Frit (1050 °C)

Low-temperature ceramic frits are pre-fused glass materials formulated to mature and provide full gloss at firing temperatures of 950–1100 °C, ideal for majolica, earthenware, and LTCC (low-temperature co-fired ceramic) applications. High alkali and/or zinc content lowers the melting temperature while bismuth-containing variants are compatible with silver and gold metallization in electronic ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Magnesium Oxide Sintering Aid for Alumina

CAS: 1309-48-4

High-purity magnesium oxide (MgO) is the most widely used sintering aid for translucent and high-density alumina ceramics. Trace additions of 250–500 ppm MgO suppress abnormal grain growth during sintering by segregating at Al2O3 grain boundaries, enabling near-theoretical density at lower temperatures. It is essential for transparent alumina (Lucalox) and 99.9% purity alumina substrates.

ceramic glass additives

Manganese Dioxide Brown Ceramic Colorant

CAS: 1313-13-9

Manganese dioxide (MnO2) is a brown-to-black ceramic colorant and flux modifier used in earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain glazes and bodies. At 2–5%, MnO2 produces warm tan-to-brown tones; in combination with CoO it generates blue-grey and violet ceramic colors. MnO2 is also a key dopant in ZnO varistor compositions where it stabilizes grain boundary microstructure.

ceramic glass additives

Methylcellulose Ceramic Binder & Plasticizer

CAS: 9004-67-5

Methylcellulose (MC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether used as a binder, plasticizer, and rheology modifier in ceramic extrusion and injection molding. Its unique thermal gelation property—forming a gel when heated—provides shape retention during extrusion of honeycomb bodies, catalytic substrates, and tubes. It burns out cleanly during sintering.

ceramic glass additives

Nonionic Wetting Agent for Ceramics (Triton X-100 Type)

CAS: 9002-93-1

Polyethylene glycol octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100 type) is a nonionic surfactant and wetting agent widely used in ceramic slips, glazes, and screen-printing pastes to reduce surface tension, improve substrate wetting, and prevent crawling and pinholing defects. At 0.05–0.5%, it enables uniform glaze coverage on porous substrates and improves ceramic ink penetration in inkjet printing.

ceramic glass additives

PEG 4000 Ceramic Spray-Drying Aid

CAS: 25322-68-3

Polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000) is the preferred molecular weight grade for ceramic spray-drying granulation, balancing granule flowability, pressing behavior, and burnout characteristics. As a spray-drying additive at 1–3 wt%, PEG 4000 produces free-flowing, near-spherical granules with good inter-granule bonding strength, enabling consistent die filling and uniform compaction in automated pressing lines.

ceramic glass additives

Paraffin Wax Ceramic Binder

CAS: 8002-74-2

Paraffin wax is the primary binder and carrier in hot-press slip casting and low-pressure injection molding (LPIM) of technical ceramics. Molten paraffin provides excellent flowability and shape replication at processing temperatures, while wax debinding by solvent extraction or thermal methods yields minimal carbon residue in sintered parts.

ceramic glass additives

Polyethylene Glycol Ceramic Plasticizer & Binder

CAS: 25322-68-3

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a versatile water-soluble polymer used as a plasticizer, binder, and lubricant in ceramic forming processes including dry pressing, extrusion, and spray drying. PEG grades 1000–6000 are most common for ceramics, providing excellent lubrication during compaction and clean, low-residue burnout during binder removal.

ceramic glass additives

Polyethylenimine Cationic Ceramic Dispersant

CAS: 9002-98-6

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a branched cationic polymer used as a dispersant for negatively charged ceramic powders such as SiC, Si3N4, and carbon-based materials at acidic to neutral pH. PEI adsorbs strongly through electrostatic interaction, providing steric and electrostatic stabilization. It is widely used in aqueous processing of non-oxide ceramics and as a flocculation reversal agent.

ceramic glass additives

Polyvinyl Alcohol Ceramic Binder

CAS: 9002-89-5

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer widely used as a temporary binder in ceramic powder pressing and extrusion. It provides excellent green strength, uniform dispersion, and clean burnout at low temperatures, leaving minimal residue in sintered parts. Ideal for technical ceramics, tiles, and advanced ceramic components.

ceramic glass additives

Potassium Feldspar Ceramic Flux

CAS: 68476-25-5

Potassium feldspar (K-feldspar, KAlSi3O8) is the primary fluxing agent in porcelain, bone china, and vitreous sanitary ware ceramic bodies. During firing, feldspar melts at 1150–1250 °C to form a viscous glass that cements the ceramic grains and provides translucency and mechanical strength. The K2O/Na2O ratio determines glass viscosity and firing range.

ceramic glass additives

Praseodymium-Zircon Yellow Ceramic Pigment

CAS: 68609-53-0

Praseodymium-doped zircon yellow (Pr-ZrSiO4) is a high-performance, environmentally-friendly yellow ceramic pigment used in glazes, ceramic inks, and body stains. The Pr4+ ion substituting into the ZrSiO4 crystal lattice provides intense lemon-yellow color with outstanding thermal stability above 1300 °C and excellent resistance to acids, alkalis, and solvents.

ceramic glass additives

Quartz Silica Ceramic Filler

CAS: 14808-60-7

High-purity ground quartz (SiO2) is one of the three principal raw materials in traditional ceramic bodies alongside kaolin and feldspar. Quartz acts as a refractory filler that controls thermal expansion, reduces drying shrinkage, and improves fired strength and dimensional stability. Particle size distribution and iron content are critical quality parameters for whiteness and fired properties.

ceramic glass additives

Silicon Carbide Whisker Ceramic Reinforcement

CAS: 409-21-2

Silicon carbide (SiC) whiskers are single-crystal fibrous reinforcements used to improve the fracture toughness and mechanical strength of ceramic matrix composites, particularly in alumina and silicon nitride matrices. SiC whisker additions of 20–30 vol% can increase KIC by 2–4x through crack-bridging and crack-deflection toughening mechanisms.

ceramic glass additives

Sodium Alginate Ceramic Binder

CAS: 9005-38-3

Sodium alginate is a natural polysaccharide binder derived from brown seaweed, used in traditional and technical ceramics for slip casting, extrusion, and pelletizing. It forms strong hydrogel networks in the presence of calcium ions, providing excellent green strength and shape stability. Sodium alginate is a sustainable, bio-based binder alternative.

ceramic glass additives

Sodium Hexametaphosphate Ceramic Deflocculant

CAS: 10124-56-8

Sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), also known as Calgon, is a potent inorganic deflocculant for ceramic slips containing clay minerals. Its polymeric phosphate chain strongly adsorbs onto clay edges and surfaces, maintaining electrosteric repulsion and enabling ultra-high solids loading (65–72 wt%) in sanitaryware and porcelain slip casting operations.

ceramic glass additives

Sodium Polyacrylate Ceramic Dispersant

CAS: 9003-04-7

Sodium polyacrylate (NaPA) is a high-performance anionic dispersant for aqueous ceramic suspensions, particularly alumina, silica, and mixed oxide systems. It provides steric and electrostatic stabilization through polymer chain adsorption onto ceramic particle surfaces, enabling high-solids slurries (>70 wt%) with low viscosity. Widely used in MLCC, technical ceramics, and advanced structural ceramics.

ceramic glass additives

Sodium Silicate Ceramic Deflocculant

CAS: 1344-09-8

Sodium silicate (waterglass) is one of the oldest and most widely used ceramic deflocculants, typically used in combination with STPP in traditional ceramics. The silicate anion increases the negative surface charge on clay particles, reducing viscosity and improving casting behavior. It also acts as a binder component in colloidal silica refractories and investment casting shells.

ceramic glass additives

Sodium Tripolyphosphate Ceramic Deflocculant

CAS: 7758-29-4

Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) is a classic inorganic deflocculant used in porcelain, sanitaryware, and whiteware slip casting. By adsorbing onto clay particle surfaces and increasing zeta potential, STPP reduces slip viscosity at minimal additions (0.1–0.5 wt%), enabling high solids-loading slips for efficient slip casting and glaze preparation.

ceramic glass additives

Starch Ceramic Binder

CAS: 9005-25-8

Pregelatinized and modified starches are cost-effective binders for traditional ceramic tile, sanitaryware, and refractory applications. Starch provides high green strength, good plasticity, and clean burnout in the 300–500 °C range. Modified dextrin and corn starch grades offer improved cold-water dispersibility and controlled viscosity for various forming processes.

ceramic glass additives

Talc Ceramic Additive for Cordierite

CAS: 14807-96-6

Talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) is a key raw material for cordierite ceramics and a versatile fluxing and plasticizing agent in traditional ceramics. In cordierite synthesis, stoichiometric blends of talc, kaolin, and alumina yield the 2MgO·2Al2O3·5SiO2 phase with very low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE ~1.5×10-6/°C), ideal for kiln furniture, catalyst substrates, and diesel particulate filters.

ceramic glass additives

Titanium Dioxide Ceramic Densification Aid

CAS: 13463-67-7

High-purity titanium dioxide (TiO2, anatase or rutile) is used as a sintering and densification aid in alumina, barium titanate, and electronic ceramics. In alumina, 0.05–0.3 wt% TiO2 promotes liquid-phase sintering and enhances grain boundary diffusion, lowering the densification temperature and improving ionic conductivity. In BaTiO3 systems it acts as a stoichiometry corrector.

ceramic glass additives

Titanium Dioxide for Dielectric Ceramics

CAS: 13463-67-7

High-purity rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the titanium source for barium titanate (BaTiO3) MLCC dielectrics, titanate-based microwave ceramics, and piezoelectric materials. The rutile phase is preferred over anatase for solid-state ceramic synthesis due to its higher density and reactivity with BaCO3 at calcination temperatures. Precise particle size control is critical for MLCC manufacturing.

ceramic glass additives

Triethanolamine Alumina Dispersant

CAS: 102-71-6

Triethanolamine (TEA) is an amino alcohol used as a surface modifier and dispersant for alumina powders in non-aqueous ceramic processing systems. Its amine and hydroxyl groups adsorb onto alumina surfaces, reducing inter-particle friction and improving flow in hot-press and injection molding compounds. TEA also acts as a pH buffer in aqueous alumina slips.

ceramic glass additives

Vanadium-Zircon Blue Ceramic Pigment

CAS: 68611-31-4

Vanadium-doped zircon blue (V-ZrSiO4) is a premium inorganic blue ceramic pigment providing a pure blue hue in ceramic glazes and inks, alternative to the deeper cobalt blue. The V4+ ion hosted in the ZrSiO4 matrix delivers a bright blue color with excellent stability above 1200 °C and high resistance to acid and alkaline environments, making it ideal for digital ceramic printing applications.

ceramic glass additives

Yttria Sintering Aid for Si3N4 Ceramics

CAS: 1314-36-9

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) is the primary sintering aid for silicon nitride (Si3N4) and sialon ceramics, typically used together with Al2O3 or MgO. Y2O3 reacts with the surface oxide layer on Si3N4 particles to form a liquid-phase oxynitride glass that facilitates densification at 1700–1800 °C. The resulting intergranular glass phase determines the high-temperature mechanical properties of the sintered body.

ceramic glass additives

Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) Powder

CAS: 1314-23-4

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a premier engineering ceramic featuring the highest fracture toughness among oxide ceramics, achieved through transformation toughening of metastable tetragonal ZrO2. 3 mol% YSZ (3YSZ) is the standard composition for structural applications, while 8 mol% YSZ (8YSZ) is the standard thermal barrier coating and SOFC electrolyte material.

ceramic glass additives

Zinc Oxide Ceramic Varistor Additive

CAS: 1314-13-2

High-purity zinc oxide (ZnO) is the primary component (~95 mol%) in ZnO varistor ceramics, which are critical for electrical surge protection devices. Small additions of Bi2O3, MnO2, CoO, and Sb2O3 doped into ZnO create grain boundary potential barriers responsible for the non-linear current-voltage characteristics. ZnO is also used as a flux in ceramic glazes and as a piezoelectric component.