Control of texture in ZnO by slip casting in a strong magnetic field and heating

Anisotropic susceptibilities of feeble magnetic ceramics such as zinc oxide are quite small; therefore, it had been difficult to control the textured microstructures of these ceramics using a magnetic field. However, fabrication of the textured ZnO is achieved by slip casting in a strong magnetic field followed by heating. After the stable suspension of ZnO fine particles was compacted by slip casting in a strong magnetic field, a green body with a slight degree of crystalline texture was obtained. Densification and the grain growth enhanced the degree of texture during the sintering.