Ecc International Limited

Jonathan Andrew Hearle

Jacek Antoni Kostuch

Nicholas John Wilshaw

Mathew Thomas Rundle

A ceramic particulate material which comprises particles having an irregular three dimensional surface profile having jagged projections and a median particle diameter of 200 micrometers or less, the particles being fractals produced by comminution of foamed ceramic material. The material may be such that in a sphere of rotation of the particle, from 30% to 80% of the volume of the sphere is void, the remainder being continuous solid material. The material may be produced by a process which includes providing a suspension of ceramic forming particles e.g., of an aluminosilicate such as clay, in a liquid medium; incorporating a gas in the liquid medium before or after formation of the suspension therein to produce a foamed suspension; extruding the foamed suspension; optionally drying the extrudate formed thereby; calcining the extrudate; and comminuting the calcined material, e.g. by crushing. The material may be used as a substitute for diatomite.

Particulate materials

There is disclosed a process for preparing porous ceramic granules, comprising

Growing community of inventors

Falmouth, United Kingdom

Jonathan Andrew Hearle