Process for producing cordierite honeycomb structural body and honeycomb structural body molding aid

Abstract

There is provided a process for obtaining a cordierite honeycomb structural body with thin cell walls and no molding defects such as cell breakage or the like. Cell breakage is prevented by limiting the maximum particle size of the cordierite starting material powder to no greater than 85% of the slit width of the extrusion molding die so that the starting material particles will not clog inside the slits or the introduction port of the slits. As one cordierite starting material, talc with a mean particle size of 5 μm or greater is used to give a honeycomb structural body with a void volume of greater than 30%, for production of a honeycomb structural body, with good moldability, having a small thickness and a low heat capacity. It is preferred to add to the starting material at least a lubricant/humectant, a binder and/or a mixture of a water-soluble polyhydric alcohol derivative and a polyhydric alcohol.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.