2024-08-16- readingsCarboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) is an important water-soluble polymer compound. It is widely used in many industrial fields due to its good thickening, film-forming, bonding, suspension and water retention properties. Especially in the ceramic industry, CMC has become an indispensable component in ceramic formulations due to its versatility and high efficiency. Starting from the basic characteristics of CMC, this paper will systematically explore its specific applications in various links in the ceramic manufacturing process and analyze its impact on the quality of ceramic products and production processes.
### 1. Basic characteristics and mechanism of action of CMC
CMC is an anionic polymer derivative generated by reacting part or all of the hydroxyl groups of natural cellulose with chloroacetic acid. Its molecular structure contains a large number of hydrophilic carboxymethyl groups, which makes CMC have good water solubility and water absorption. In addition, there are a variety of active groups on the molecular chain of CMC, which makes it have a variety of functions such as thickening, bonding, suspension, dispersion, and film-forming. These functions play a vital role in different stages of ceramic production.
### 2. Application of CMC in the preparation of ceramic blanks
#### 2.1 Thickening and bonding effects
In the preparation of ceramic blanks, CMC is widely used as a thickener and binder. After CMC is dissolved in water, it forms a high-viscosity solution, which can effectively increase the viscosity of the blank, thereby improving the formability of the blank and ensuring that the blank is not easily deformed or broken during the forming process. The bonding effect of CMC helps to improve the bonding force between the components of the blank, so that the blank has good mechanical strength and durability. This is especially important during the wet blank forming and drying process, which helps to reduce the cracking and deformation of the blank.
#### 2.2 Suspension and dispersion function
Another important role of CMC in ceramic blanks is the suspension and dispersion function. By improving the suspension of solid particles in the blank, CMC can prevent the precipitation of heavy particles, ensure the uniformity of the blank composition, and thus improve the quality of the final ceramic product. In addition, CMC can also effectively control the fluidity of the blank, avoid the stratification of the blank during storage and transportation, and ensure the uniform density and strength of the blank.
### 3. Application of CMC in glaze preparation
#### 3.1 Stable suspension system
CMC also plays an important role in the preparation of ceramic glaze. As a suspension stabilizer, CMC can effectively prevent the sedimentation of solid particles in the glaze, keep the glaze in a stable suspension state, and ensure that the glaze is evenly covered on the surface of the body during the glazing process. This has a direct impact on the uniformity, smoothness and glossiness of the glaze. By using CMC, ceramic products can obtain a more uniform and high-quality glaze effect.
#### 3.2 Adjusting viscosity and fluidity
The viscosity and fluidity of the glaze are important factors affecting the glazing effect. CMC in the glaze can adjust the viscosity of the glaze through its thickening effect, ensuring that the glaze can flow evenly during the glazing process, avoiding problems such as sagging, uneven thickness or bubbles. In addition, CMC can also improve the leveling of the glaze, ensuring that the glaze surface can self-level during the firing process, forming a smooth surface, and improving the decorativeness and aesthetics of the glaze.
### 4. Application of CMC in Ceramic Green Body Drying and Firing
#### 4.1 Reduce Drying Stress
Ceramic green bodies are prone to internal stress during the drying process, leading to cracking or deformation. The application of CMC in green bodies can effectively relieve drying stress and reduce the rapid loss of water during the drying process, thereby reducing the risk of green body cracking. CMC can form a protective film on the surface of the green body through its good water retention, slowly release water, and make the drying process more uniform and controllable.
#### 4.2 Improve Firing Quality
During the firing process of ceramic green bodies, CMC can further improve the bonding force and density of the green body, promote the uniform sintering of the components in the green body, thereby improving the mechanical strength and impact resistance of ceramic products. In addition, the presence of CMC can also improve the firing shrinkage behavior of the green body, so that the green body maintains dimensional stability during the firing process, reduces deformation and warping, and improves the qualified rate and consistency of the product.
### 5. Application of CMC in ceramic decoration and printing
#### 5.1 Stabilizing pigment suspension
In ceramic decoration and printing processes, CMC is widely used as a pigment suspending agent and adhesive. Through its good suspension, CMC can ensure the uniform dispersion of pigments in glazes or color pastes, prevent the precipitation and aggregation of pigments, and keep the printed or decorative patterns clear, bright and stable. In addition, CMC can also enhance the adhesion of color pastes, improve the adhesion and durability of printed patterns after firing.
#### 5.2 Improving printing accuracy
The application of CMC in ceramic printing is also reflected in improving printing accuracy and pattern clarity. By adjusting the viscosity and fluidity of the printing color paste, CMC can prevent the color paste from dispersing or bleeding during the printing process, ensure the edges of the printed lines and patterns are clear, and avoid blurring or distortion. This is especially important for high-precision, high-quality ceramic decorative products.
### 6. Application of CMC in Ceramic Waste Treatment and Environmental Protection
#### 6.1 Enhanced Waste Recycling
The application of CMC in ceramic waste treatment is mainly reflected in enhancing the recycling rate of waste. By adding CMC to ceramic waste, the recycling performance of the waste can be improved, so that it can be reprocessed into usable blanks or glazes, reducing material waste in ceramic production and reducing production costs. In addition, the use of CMC can also improve the adhesion and fluidity of waste, promote the molding and reprocessing of waste.
#### 6.2 Reduce environmental pollution
A large amount of wastewater, waste residue and waste gas will be generated during the ceramic production process. As an environmentally friendly material, CMC can reduce the emission of harmful substances and reduce environmental pollution by improving the waste treatment process. For example, CMC can reduce the toxicity of wastewater and promote the recycling of wastewater by adsorbing heavy metal ions in wastewater. In addition, the biodegradability of CMC prevents it from causing long-term pollution in the environment, which meets the requirements of modern ceramic industry for green production and sustainable development.
### 7. Development Trend and Prospect of CMC in Ceramic Industry
With the continuous advancement of ceramic industry technology and the increasing environmental protection requirements, CMC has broad application prospects in ceramic production. In the future, with the further optimization of CMC's performance and the research and development of new modified CMC, the application of CMC in ceramics will be more extensive and in-depth. For example, through the fine regulation of molecular structure, CMC can show higher functionality and stability in specific applications to meet the needs of high-performance ceramic products.
In addition, with the automation and intelligence of ceramic production processes, CMC, as an important functional additive, will play a greater role in the production process. For example, through intelligent formula design and process optimization, CMC can achieve precise control in different production links, improve production efficiency and product quality.
In summary, the application of CMC in the ceramic industry covers multiple links from blank preparation to glaze application, from drying and firing to decorative printing. With its versatility and high efficiency, CMC not only improves the quality of ceramic products, but also promotes the optimization and sustainable development of ceramic production processes. With the continuous advancement of technology and the expansion of application fields, the importance of CMC in the ceramic industry will become more and more prominent, and it will provide solid support for the innovation and development of the ceramic industry.
