Method for producing honeycomb structure

A method for producing a honeycomb structure for fine particle collection filters, the honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of porous honeycomb structure segments joined together via joining material layers, each of the porous honeycomb structure segment comprising:

• partition walls made of a SiC material, the partition walls defining a plurality of cells to form flow paths for a fluid, each of the cells extending from an inflow end face that is an end face on a fluid inflow side to a fluid outflow end face that is an end face on a fluid inflow side;
• and an outer peripheral wall located at the outermost periphery, the method comprising:
• joining each of the porous honeycomb segments via the joining material layers by applying a joining material between joining surfaces of each of the porous honeycomb structure segments, through a nozzle portion of a joining material applicator,
• wherein the nozzle portion of the joining material applicator comprises:
• a joining material introduction port;
• a joining material discharge space having a slit-shaped joining material discharge port for discharging an introduced joining material;
• and
• a joining material flow path having a bent portion, through which the joining material passes from the joining material introduction port to the joining material discharge space;
• and
• wherein the joining material flow path of the nozzle portion comprises a buffer space configured such that a flow path cross section gradually expands toward the joining material discharge space on a downstream side of the bent portion;
• and
• wherein the slit-shaped joining material discharge port has a length of 40 to 60 mm, and a width of from 25 to 45 mm.