Graphite blending method for ceramic shrinkage control

A method for manufacturing ceramic articles, the method comprising:

• extruding green bodies of constant size, the extruding comprising:
• extruding a first green body from a first mixture comprised of a first blend of an inorganic component and a pore former component, the pore former component being comprised of a fine pore former ingredient from a first source and a coarse pore former ingredient from a second source, wherein the D10 of the coarse ingredient is greater than the D90 of the fine ingredient, and
• extruding a second green body from a second mixture comprised of a blend of the inorganic component, the fine pore former ingredient in a different amount compared to the first blend, and the coarse pore former ingredient in the same amount as in the first blend;
• and
• firing the first and second green bodies, wherein, upon firing, the first green body is formed into a first fired ceramic article having a first porosity and a first shape, and the second green body is formed into a second fired ceramic article having a second porosity which is substantially the same as the first porosity and a second shape which is different from the first shape.