Extrusion die preparation methods

A method of extruding a ceramic-forming mixture through a honeycomb extrusion die comprising a plurality of pins defining a plurality of slots, the method comprising:

• conditioning the honeycomb extrusion die by extruding an abrasive flow media through the plurality of slots prior to extruding the ceramic-forming mixture through the plurality of slots;
• wherein the abrasive flow media comprises abrasive inorganic particles dispersed in a flowable carrier;
• wherein the ceramic-forming mixture comprises at least one type of inorganic ceramic-forming particles;
• and
• wherein a particle size distribution in the abrasive inorganic particles corresponds to a particle size distribution of the at least one type of inorganic ceramic-forming particles in the ceramic-forming mixture, the at least one type of inorganic ceramic-forming particles comprises first abrasive particles comprising a first particle size distribution comprising a first peak in a volume percentage of the first abrasive particles at a first particle diameter, and the abrasive inorganic particles comprise second abrasive particles comprising a second particle size distribution comprising a second peak in a volume percentage of the second abrasive particles at a second particle diameter within a range of about 20% greater or smaller than the first particle diameter.