Patent Publication Number: US-9409826-B2

Title: Cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles with delayed microcrack evolution

Description:
This application is a divisional of and claims benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/956,378, filed on Nov. 30, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present specification generally relates to porous ceramic honeycomb articles and, more specifically, to cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles for use as filter materials. 
     2. Technical Background 
     Wall-flow diesel particulate filters (DPFs), gasoline particulate filters (GPFs) and ceramic catalyst supports generally comprise thin-walled ceramic honeycomb articles with high geometric surface areas and, in some cases, extensive interconnected porosity to facilitate fluid filtration. Ceramic filters, in particular, must exhibit high mechanical strength to facilitate handling and superior thermal shock resistance in operation to prevent degradation of the filter. 
     Cordierite honeycombs employed in exhaust gas after-treatment applications generally have low coefficients of thermal expansion and low Young&#39;s elastic modulus as a result of microcracks in the ceramic phase in the as-fired condition, attributes which are beneficial to thermal shock resistance. However, when such highly microcracked ceramics are washcoated with a catalyst washcoat, the catalyst washcoat penetrates into the microcracks, which can cause an increase in the CTE and elastic modulus of the article as the catalyst washcoat in the microcracks prevents the microcracks from closing during temperature excursions. Furthermore, the acidic solution typically employed in commercial washcoating systems can result in extension of the lengths of the pre-existing microcracks by stress corrosion, causing a reduction in the strength of the ceramic. 
     One solution to this problem has been to create a temporary “passivation” coating the microcracks as a barrier to the penetration of the catalyst washcoat into the microcracks during the coating process. This passivation step adds cost due to additional equipment, expended chemicals, and processing time, but is necessary to protect the thermal shock performance of the product. Another approach which has been taken to eliminate the problem of degradation in the thermophysical properties of cordierite honeycomb ceramics during washcoating has been the elimination of microcracks from the as-fired ceramic matrix (see references). The increase in the coefficient of thermal expansion associated with the elimination of microcracks can be balanced by an increase in strain tolerance (MOR/E) at higher porosity. However, the development of small degrees of microcracking during use can result in a substantial decrease in strength and reduction in strain tolerance without a substantial decrease in CTE, thereby resulting in a decrease in thermal shock resistance. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for alternative porous ceramic honeycomb articles which are less susceptible to thermally induced cracking and alternative methods for manufacturing the same. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a method for forming a porous ceramic honeycomb article includes forming a batch mixture comprising cordierite-forming raw materials, glass-forming raw materials, at least one ceramic processing aid and water. The batch mixture is extruded into a green honeycomb article and fired under conditions sufficient to produce a porous ceramic honeycomb article having a primary cordierite phase and an intercrystalline glass phase. After firing, the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits an as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.06. Thereafter, the porous ceramic honeycomb article is washcoated and calcined, after which the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits a coated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.14 and a coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦1.06. Finally, the porous ceramic honeycomb article is thermally treated such that at least a first portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits a first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≧0.18, a first treated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦1.06, and a first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 12×10 −7 /° C. over a temperature range of 25° C. to 800° C. after the thermal treating. 
     In another embodiment, a porous ceramic honeycomb article includes a primary cordierite phase and an intercrystalline glass phase. The porous ceramic honeycomb article has an as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.06, a coated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.14 and a coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦1.06 after the porous ceramic honeycomb article has been washcoated and calcined at a temperature of 550° C. Following exposure to a thermal treatment at a temperature ≧800° C. after washcoating and calcining, at least a first portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article has a first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≧0.18, a first treated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦1.06, and a first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 12×10 −7 /° C. over a temperature range of 25° C. to 800° C. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description describe various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  schematically depicts a porous ceramic honeycomb article according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; 
         FIG. 2  graphically depicts the elastic modulus versus temperature during heating (filled circles) and cooling (open squares) of an as-fired specimen of Inventive Example 1 between room temperature and 1200° C.; 
         FIG. 3  graphically depicts the elastic modulus versus temperature curves during heating of a specimen of Comparative Example C4 in an as-fired state (black circles), washcoated and calcined (gray circles), and washcoated and thermally treated at 800-1100° C. for 32.5 hours (open circles); 
         FIG. 4  graphically depicts the values of MOR/CFA for inventive and comparative examples at three conditions: (1) as-fired, (2) after washcoating and calcining, and (3) after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C., showing the higher strength retention of the Inventive Examples after washcoating; 
         FIG. 5  graphically depicts the values of MOR*/CFA for inventive and comparative examples at three conditions: (1) as-fired, (2) after washcoating and calcining, and (3) after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C., showing the higher retention of strength, normalized to zero porosity, of the Inventive Examples after washcoating; 
         FIG. 6  graphically depicts the values of the microcrack index, Nb 3 , for Inventive and Comparative Examples at three conditions: (1) as-fired, (2) after washcoating and calcining, and (3) after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C., showing the retention of low microcracking of the Inventive Examples after washcoating, and the substantial increase in microcracking of the Inventive Examples after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C.; 
         FIG. 7  graphically depicts the values of E 500° C. /E 25° C.  for Inventive and Comparative Examples at three conditions: (1) as-fired, (2) after washcoating and calcining, and (3) after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C., showing the lower values of E 500° C. /E 25° C.  for the Inventive Examples after washcoating, which indicates a lower degree of penetration of the washcoat into the microcracks in the Inventive Examples; 
         FIG. 8  graphically depicts the values of CTE (25-800° C.) for Inventive and Comparative Examples at three conditions: (1) as-fired, (2) after washcoating and calcining, and (3) after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C., showing the decrease in CTE of the Inventive Examples after thermal treatment to values less than 12×10 −7 ° C. −1 , whereas Comparative Examples C5 to C7 do not undergo a sufficient decrease in CTE to provide good thermal shock resistance; 
         FIG. 9  graphically depicts MOR*/CFA after washcoating and calcination versus the S F  parameter for Inventive Examples (filled circles) and Comparative Examples (open circles); 
         FIG. 10  graphically depicts MOR*/CFA after washcoating and calcination versus the S B  parameter for Inventive Examples (filled circles) and Comparative Examples (open circles); 
         FIG. 11  is a plot of the microcrack index, Nb 3 , after washcoating and calcination versus the S F  parameter for Inventive Examples (filled circles) and Comparative Examples (open circles); 
         FIG. 12  graphically depicts the microcrack index, Nb 3 , after washcoating and calcination versus the S B  parameter for Inventive Examples (filled circles) and Comparative Examples (open circles); 
         FIG. 13  schematically depicts a method for thermally treating a porous ceramic honeycomb article according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles, and methods for making the same. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of a porous honeycomb article is schematically depicted in  FIG. 1 . In an as-fired condition, the cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb article generally comprises a primary cordierite phase and an intercrystalline glass phase such that the cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits an as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.06 and an as-fired E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦0.99. Following washcoating and calcining, the cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb article has a coated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≦0.14 and a coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦1.06. After the porous ceramic honeycomb article is exposed to a thermal treatment following washcoating and calcining, at least a first portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article has a first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3 ≧0.18, and a first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion of less than 12×10 −7 /° C. over a temperature range of 25° C. to 800° C. The cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles and methods of forming the same will be described in more detail herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  formed from cordierite is schematically depicted. The porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  may be used as a wall-flow filter for particulate matter filtration from a vehicle exhaust. The porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  generally comprises a porous cordierite ceramic honeycomb body having a plurality of cell channels  101  extending between a first end  102  and a second end  104 . The honeycomb structure of the article  100  may include the plurality of generally parallel cell channels  101  formed by, and at least partially defined by, intersecting porous cell walls  106  that extend from the first end  102  to the second end  104 . The porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  may also include a skin formed about and surrounding the plurality of cell channels. This skin may be extruded during the formation of the cell walls  106  or formed in later processing as an after-applied skin, such as by applying a skinning cement to the outer peripheral portion of the cells. 
     In one embodiment, the plurality of parallel cell channels  101  are generally square in cross section. However, in alternative embodiments, the plurality of parallel cell channels in the article may have other cross-sectional configurations, including rectangular, round, oblong, triangular, octagonal, hexagonal, or combinations thereof. For honeycombs utilized in filter applications, certain cells are designated as inlet cells  108  and certain other cells are designated as outlet cells  110 . Moreover, in a porous ceramic honeycomb article  100 , at least some of the cells may be plugged with plugs  112 . Generally, the plugs  112  are arranged at or near the ends of the cell channels and are arranged in some defined pattern, such as in the checkerboard pattern shown in  FIG. 1 , with every other cell being plugged at an end. The inlet channels  108  may be plugged at or near the second end  104 , and the outlet channels  110  may be plugged at or near the first end  102  on channels not corresponding to the inlet channels. Accordingly, each cell may be plugged at or near one end of the porous ceramic honeycomb article only. While  FIG. 1  generally depicts a checkerboard plugging pattern, it should be understood that alternative plugging patterns may be used in the porous ceramic honeycomb article. 
     While  FIG. 1  depicts a porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  in which some or all of the channels are plugged, is should be understood that, in alternative embodiments, all the channels of the porous ceramic honeycomb article may be unplugged, such as when the porous ceramic honeycomb article is used as catalytic through-flow substrate. 
     In the embodiment described herein the porous ceramic honeycomb articles may have a porosity % P≧45% or even ≧47%. In some embodiments the porosity may be ≧48%, or even ≧50%. In other embodiments the porosity may be ≧52%, or even ≧54%. In still other embodiments the porosity may be ≧55%, or even ≧58%. In other embodiments the porosity may be ≧60%. 
     As briefly discussed above, cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles have a relatively high CTE over the temperature range from about 25° C. to 800° C. and a corresponding low resistance to thermal shock in an as-fired condition. However, following washcoating and calcining and/or a thermal treatment, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein have a relatively lower CTE over the temperature range from about 25° C. to 800° C. and, as a result, an improved resistance to thermal shock. CTE, as used herein, is the coefficient of thermal expansion along a direction of the article parallel to the lengths of the channels over the specified temperature range, unless otherwise specified. The improvement in the CTE and the corresponding improvement in thermal shock resistance following washcoating and calcining and/or a thermal treatment is due to the increase in the volume of microcracks indicated by an increase in the microcrack parameter Nb 3  which is an indirect measure of the extent of microcracking in the article. 
     The microcrack parameter Nb 3  is derived from the modulus of elasticity (E) heating curve to 1200° C. Nb 3  is calculated as: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 Nb 
                 3 
               
               = 
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     
                       
                         E 
                         0 
                       
                       E 
                     
                     - 
                     1 
                   
                   ] 
                 
                 1.8 
               
             
             , 
           
         
       
     
     where E is the elastic modulus of the article at room temperature with microcracks (i.e., after washcoating/calcining and/or thermal treatment), E 0  is the elastic modulus of the article at room temperature without microcracks, N is the number of microcracks per unit volume and b is the average half-length of a microcrack. 
     A typical heating curve used to determine the microcrack parameter is graphically depicted in  FIG. 2 . The value E 25  denotes the elastic modulus of the article at 25° C. before heating; E 500  and E 800  denote the elastic moduli at 500° C. and 800° C. during heating, respectively. The value E° 25  denotes the elastic modulus of a hypothetically non-microcracked article calculated by extrapolation of the tangent to the cooling curve at a point indicated by the filled triangle back to room temperature. E 25  (after heating) is the elastic modulus at room temperature measured after cooling the sample from 1200° C. The lower value of E 25  after cooling relative to the initial value indicates an increase in microcracking after thermal exposure at 1200° C. The value of E° 25  and the position of tangency to the cooling curve were determined mathematically to be consistent with the requirement that the tangent has a slope ΔE/ΔT equal to −7.5×10 −5  (E° 25 ) in units of psi/° C. It has been exerimentally determined that the rate of change in the elastic modulus of a non-microcracked cordierite ceramic with increasing temperature is related to the elastic modulus at room temperature by the equation (ΔE/ΔT)/E° 25 =−7.5×10 −5 /° C. This relationship is fundamental to all non-microcracked cordierite ceramics and is dictated by the intrinsic rate at which the atomic bonds in the crystalline structure of the cordierite crystals weaken with increasing temperature. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles are formed from a combination of cordierite forming raw materials and glass forming raw materials such that, after firing and before exposure to a thermal treatment, the porous ceramic honeycomb article includes a primary cordierite crystalline phase comprising domains of cordierite crystallites and pockets of an intercrystalline glass phase positioned among the cordierite crystallites within the domains and between the domains of cordierite crystallites. The cordierite crystallites have a subparallel orientation with one another within each domain. The crystallite orientation within each domain differs from that of the adjacent domain. 
     The intercrystalline glass phase is present in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article in an amount sufficient to relieve microstresses that would otherwise develop during cooling of the article due to the large size of the cordierite crystallite domains and the anisotropy in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the cordierite crystallites along different crystallographic directions. Relief of the microstresses reduces the formation of microcracks such that the porous ceramic article has a relatively low amount of microcracking in an as-fired condition. This low amount of microcracking provides high strength to the as-fired article. In the embodiments described herein, the intercrystalline glass phase is present in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article in an amount ≧4 wt. % of the article. The intercrystalline glass phase typically exists as small pockets of intercrystalline glass. In one embodiment, the largest dimension of the pockets of intercrystalline glass is from about 0.5 microns to about 10.0 microns. In another embodiment, the largest dimension of the pockets of intercrystalline glass is from about 0.5 microns to about 5 microns. 
     Further, the microcracking of the as-fired article is sufficiently low and the intercrystalline glass phase is of a sufficiently chemically durable composition such that extensive etching of the glass phase and/or propagation of the microcracks by stress corrosion during a subsequent washcoating process does not occur to an extent that would lead to an unacceptable reduction in the strength of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. Preservation of a low degree of microcracking prior to and during washcoating minimizes the penetration of waschcoat particles into the microcracks, which would reduce the thermal shock resistance of the article by increasing the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and the elastic modulus (E) of the article during heating. In addition, the composition of the intercrystalline glass phase is such that the glass undergoes devitrification during exposure to a thermal treatment at temperatures at or above 800° C., thereby reducing the efficacy of the mechanism for relieving the microstresses between the cordierite crystallite domains by viscous flow of the intercrystalline glass phase. 
     In addition, the domain size of the cordierite crystallites described herein is sufficiently large (i.e., ≧40 microns) so that, after devitrification of the intercrystalline glass phase during the thermal treatment, cooling of the article to below 100° C. results in a substantial increase in microcracking, thereby lowering the CTE and increasing the thermal shock resistance of the article. 
     In one embodiment, the as-fired cordierite ceramic article comprises 80 wt. % to 90 wt. % of a cordierite phase, 4 wt. % to 15 wt. % of a glass phase, 0 wt. % to 2 wt. % of a spinel phase, 0 wt. % to 4 wt. % of a sapphirine phase, 0 wt. % to 2 wt. % of a mullite phase, and ≦2 wt. % of other phases. The amount of each phase is determined by Rietveld refinement of the x-ray diffraction pattern of a powdered sample of the article. The term “cordierite phase” includes the sum of the amounts of hexagonal and orthorhombic crystal forms of the predominantly Mg 2 Al 4 Si 5 O 18  (cordierite compound). It is understood that other elements such as iron, sodium, and potassium, may substitute into the crystal structure of the cordierite phase. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles exhibit an as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3  of ≦0.06 in an as-fired condition (i.e., after the porous ceramic honeycomb article has been fired and before the article is washcoated, calcined and/or exposed to a thermal treatment). In some embodiments, the as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≦0.05 or even ≦0.04. In other embodiments, the as-fired microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≦0.03 or even ≦0.02. 
     The porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein also exhibit a slight increase in the microcracking parameter after the porous ceramic honeycomb articles are washcoated and calcined. The increase in the microcracking parameter is due to penetration of washcoat particles into existing microcracks and, in some instances, the development and/or propagation of new microcracks due to stress corrosion initiated by the acidic washcoat. However, this increase in the microcracking parameter is only slight because of the low extent of microcracking in the as-fired article. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the washcoating process entails infiltrating the channels and, optionally, the internal porosity of the channel walls of the honeycomb with a slurry of colloidal aluminum oxide hydroxide at a pH of 2.0. Thereafter, excess slurry was removed from the porous ceramic honeycomb article by blowing air down the channels and, optionally, across the thickness of the channel walls. The porous ceramic honeycomb articles were then dried and calcined at 550° C. for 4 hours. The mass of washcoat retained by the article after drying was typically between 5% and 25% by weight of the pre-coated ceramic article, more typically between 10% and 20%. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles exhibit a coated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of ≦0.14 after washcoating and calcining but before the article is exposed to a thermal treatment. In some embodiments, the coated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≦0.09 or even ≦0.08. In other embodiments, the coated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≦0.07, ≦0.06 or even ≦0.05. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles exhibit a significant increase in the microcracking parameter after the porous ceramic honeycomb articles are exposed to a thermal treatment cycle. This increase in the microcracking parameter is due to the devitrification and recrystallization of at least a portion of the intercrystalline glass phase during exposure to the thermal cycle. Without sufficient intercrystalline glass phase present to relieve the microstresses that develop in the cordierite crystalline domains during cooling, the domains readily undergo microcracking as the porous ceramic honeycomb article is cooled to room temperature thereby increasing the amount of microcracking in the article. In the embodiments described herein, the thermal treatment comprised two cycles of heating the article from 800° C. to 1100° C. for a total exposure of 32.5 hours between those two temperatures. 
     In the embodiments described herein, at least a portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles exhibits a first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of ≧0.18 after exposure to the thermal treatment. In some embodiments, the first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≧0.20 or even ≧0.22. In other embodiments, the first treated microcrack parameter Nb 3  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article is ≧0.24, ≧0.26, ≧0.28 or even ≧0.30. 
     The term modulus of rupture (MOR) refers to the axial flexural strength of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. MOR is measured using a four-point method on a cellular bar cut parallel to the lengths of the channels of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. The term closed frontal area (CFA) refers to the fractional area occupied by the porous channel walls in a cross section orthogonal to the lengths of the cell channels. For a given bulk density of the porous ceramic honeycomb article, the CFA can be calculated according to the equation:
 
CFA=(bulk density)/{2.51*[1−(%  P/ 100)]}
 
     in which the bulk density is in units of g/cm 3  and % P is the porosity of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In other instances, the CFA may be calculated according to the relation:
 
CFA=( w )( N )[2( N   −0.5 )− w],  
 
     where w is the wall thickness of the porous ceramic honeycomb article in units of inches and N is the cell density in units of in −2 . 
     The value MOR/CFA is proportional to, and is approximately equal to, the strength of the ceramic comprising the wall of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In some embodiments described herein, the value of MOR/CFA before and after washcoating and calcination (i.e., the as-fired MOR/CFA value and the coated MOR/CFA value) are ≧1600 psi or even ≧1800 psi. In other embodiments the as-fired MOR/CFA value and the coated MOR/CFA value are ≧psi 2000 or even ≧2200 psi. In still other embodiments the as-fired MOR/CFA value and the coated MOR/CFA value are ≧psi 2400 or even ≧2600 psi. 
     In other embodiments, the coated MOR/CFA value is ≧60% of the as-fired MOR/CFA value. In some embodiments the coated MOR/CFA value is ≧70% of the as-fired MOR/CFA value or even ≧80% of the as-fired MOR/CFA value. In other embodiments the coated MOR/CFA value is ≧85% of the as-fired MOR/CFA value or even ≧90% of the as-fired MOR/CFA value. A high percentage of strength retention after washcoating and calcination indicates less extension of the microcracks by stress corrosion due to the interaction of water or hydronium ions from the washcoat solution with silicate bonds at the tip of any pre-existing microcracks. 
     Because an increase in porosity reduces the strength of the porous ceramic honeycomb article, it is useful to specify the value of MOR/CFA that is achievable as a function of the total porosity of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. It has been determined that the value of MOR/CFA for cordierite porous ceramic honeycomb articles having a given extent of microcracking is proportional to the quantity (1−P) 2.35 , where “P” is defined as % porosity/100. In the embodiments described herein, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles preferably exhibit a ratio of flexural strength to closed frontal area normalized to zero porosity MOR*/CFA which is equal to (MOR/CFA)(1−P) −2.35 . In some embodiments, the porous ceramic honeycomb article exhibits an as-fired MOR*/CFA and a coated MOR*/CFA of at least 10,000 psi. In other embodiments the as-fired MOR*/CFA value and the coated MOR*/CFA value are ≧psi 12000 or even ≧14000 psi. In still other embodiments the as-fired MOR*/CFA value and the coated MOR*/CFA value are ≧16000 psi or even ≧18000 psi. 
     The Young&#39;s elastic modulus, E, of samples of the porous ceramic honeycomb article were measured at different temperatures by a sonic resonance technique on a bar cut parallel to the lengths of the channels of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. As described above, the value E 25° C.  denotes the elastic modulus of the article at room temperature before heating while the value E 500° C.  denotes the elastic modulus of the article at 500° C. during heating. The as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein have an as-fired E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦0.99 or even ≦0.97. In some embodiments, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles exhibit an as-fired E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio ≦0.96 or even ≦0.95. 
     The coated E 500° C. /E 250° C.  ratio of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles after washcoating and calcination has been determined to be proportional to the extent to which existing microcracks in the porous ceramic honeycomb articles have been penetrated by washcoat particles during the coating process. An example of the effect of washcoating on the elastic modulus heating curve for a non-inventive low-microcracked cordierite ceramic is depicted in  FIG. 3 . Specifically,  FIG. 3  graphically depicts the elastic modulus versus temperature curves during heating of Comparative Example C4 in an as-fired condition (black circles), a washcoated and calcined condition (gray circles), and a washcoated/calcined and thermally treated condition at 800-1100° C. for 32.5 hours (open circles). The increase in the elastic modulus from A 1  to A 2  is due to the closing of a small number of microcracks. The decrease in the elastic modulus from A 0  to B 0  is due to extension of microcracks after washcoating. The increase in the elastic modulus from B 1  to B 2  is due to the closing of microcracks in the coated sample beginning at a very low temperature, and signifies the penetration and deposition of washcoat particles in the microcracks. The decrease in the elastic modulus from B 0  to C 0  is due to further opening of microcracks after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C. The large increase in the elastic modulus from C 1  to C 2  beginning at low temperature is due to reclosing of large increase in microcracks. 
     Based on the foregoing, a low value for the coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio indicates minimal infiltration of the microcracks with washcoat and minimal extension of the microcracks during coating. In the embodiments described herein the coated porous ceramic honeycomb articles have a coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  of ≦1.06. In some embodiments, the coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio may be ≦1.04 or even ≦1.03. In still other embodiments, the coated E 500° C. /E 25° C.  ratio is ≦1.02. 
     To provide a high thermal shock resistance, the value of the axial coefficient of thermal expansion from 25 to 800° C. after thermal treatment of the washcoated article to two cycles between 800 and 1100° C. for a total exposure of 32.5 hours between those temperatures (i.e., the first treated mean coefficient of thermal expansion) of the porous ceramic articles described herein is ≦12×10 −7 ° C. −1 . In some embodiments, the first treated mean CTE is ≦11×10 −7 ° C. −1  or even ≦10×10 −7 ° C. −1 . In other embodiments, the first treated mean CTE is ≦9×10 −7 ° C. −1  and even ≦8×10 −7 ° C. −1 . A low value of the first treated mean CTE indicates adequate microcracking after thermal exposure which, in turn, provides a high thermal shock resistance for elevated temperature applications such as exhaust after-treatment applications. The coefficient of thermal expansion is measured by dilatometry in a direction parallel to the lengths of the honeycomb channels. The value CTE from 25°-800° C. is defined as [(L 800° C. −L 25° C. )/L 25° C. ]/(800−25° C.) where L i  is the length of the ceramic specimen at temperature “i.” 
     The porous ceramic bodies described herein may be produced by mixing together cordierite-forming raw materials and glass-forming raw materials with at least one ceramic processing aid (such as an organic binder, lubricants and the like), adding water and mixing to form a plasticized batch mixture. The plasticized batch mixture is then extruded to form a green honeycomb article. The green honeycomb article is then dried and fired to a temperature sufficient to react the raw materials to form a cordierite crystalline phase and an intercrystalline liquid phase, and cooling the body to yield a cordierite ceramic containing a residual intercrystalline glass phase. The cordierite crystalline phase of the cordierite ceramic has a stoichiometry which approximates Mg 2 Al 4 Si 5 O 18 . 
     In some embodiments, the cordierite-forming raw materials are selected from talc, calcined talc, chlorite, calcined chlorite, kaolin, calcined kaolin, an aluminum oxide-forming source, and crystalline or non-crystalline silica. In other embodiments, the cordierite-forming raw materials are selected from talc or calcined talc, spinel, or a magnesium oxide-forming source; an aluminum oxide-forming source; and crystalline or non-crystalline silica. An aluminum oxide-forming source is a substance which, when heated in air to temperatures above about 1000° C., forms &gt;95% pure aluminum oxide. Examples of aluminum oxide-forming sources include, for example, corundum, gamma-alumina, bayerite, gibbsite, boehmite, and the like. A magnesium oxide-forming source is a substance which, when heated in air to temperatures above 1000° C., forms &gt;95% pure magnesium oxide. A non-limiting, representative list of suitable cordierite forming components and their corresponding weight percentages in inventive compositions is shown in Table 3. In general, the cordierite batch compositions comprise from about 35% to about 45% by weight of talc; from about from about 24% to about 35% by weight of an aluminum oxide-forming source; from about 0% to about 20% by weight of kaolin; and from about 13% to about 25% by weight of a silica powder source. 
     In some embodiments, the raw materials selected to form the cordierite ceramic by reaction sintering are absent of: (1) pre-reacted cordierite powder; (2) magnesium aluminosilicate glass powder; (3) a combination of magnesium aluminate spinel and a kaolin or calcined kaolin; (4) a magnesium oxide-forming source, such as MgO, Mg(OH) 2 , MgCO 3 , etc., and a kaolin or calcined kaolin in order to provide sufficiently large cordierite crystallite domains in the fired porous ceramic honeycomb article. In some embodiments the cordierite raw materials are also absent of particulate mullite, kyanite, or sillimanite. 
     Additional pore-forming agents, such as organic particles, may be added to the raw material mixture to increase the amount of porosity in the fired article. A non-limiting, representative list of suitable pore-forming agents and their corresponding weight percentages is shown in Table 3 and include, without limitation, graphite, walnut shell flour and wheat starch. In the embodiments described herein the batch mixture may comprise from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of the pore-forming agents. 
     In addition to the cordierite-forming raw materials, the batch mixture also contains one or more glass-forming raw materials. In some embodiments described herein, the glass-forming raw materials are suitable to produce a magnesium aluminosilicate glass phase in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article. By way of example and not limitation, the glass-forming raw materials may include powders that contain substantial amounts of other metal oxide components such as yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide or other rare earth oxides, calcium oxide, or potassium oxide in order to form a sufficient amount of glass in the fired article to suppress microcracking prior to exposing the porous ceramic honeycomb article to a thermal treatment above 800° C. A non-limiting, representative list of suitable glass-forming raw materials and their corresponding weight percentages in inventive compositions is shown in Table 3. By way of example and not limitation, these glass forming raw materials may include yttrium oxide powder, lanthanum oxide powder, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite. 
     When one or more of yttrium oxide powder, lanthanum oxide powder, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite are added to the raw material mixture, it has been found that the coated MOR*/CFA value for the coated and calcined parts is well described by the equation:
 
coated MOR*/CFA=2134 +S   B , where
 
 S   B =9300 Y   LaP +13400 Y   YP +6000 Y   FP +2400 Y   BP +1000 Y   AP ; and
 
     Y LaP  is a weight percent of lanthanum oxide powder in the batch mixture, Y YP  is a weight percent of yttrium oxide powder in the batch mixture, Y FP  is a weight percent of alkali feldspar powder in the batch mixture, Y BP  is a weight percent of bentonite powder in the batch mixture, Y AP  is a weight percent of attapulgite powder in the batch mixture. 
     In one embodiment described herein, the amounts of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite present in the batch mixture are such that S B ≧8000 to ensure that the coated MOR*/CFA value of the coated and calcined porous ceramic honeycomb article is at least 10,000 psi. In other embodiments, the amounts of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite are such that the value of S B ≧10000 or even ≧12000. In yet other embodiments, the amounts of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite in the batch mixture are such that the value of S B ≧14000 or even ≧16000. 
     It should be understood that the use of powders of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, alkali feldspar, bentonite, and attapulgite are non-limiting examples of vehicles through which yttrium, lanthanum, calcium, and potassium may be introduced into the batch mixture so as to provide an intercrystalline glass phase in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article which suppresses microcracking in the as-fired article and in the article after washcoating, catalyzing, and calcining, and also such that the intercrystalline glass phase undergoes devitrification so as to enable formation of microcracks after thermal treatment above 800° C. It should also be understood that yttrium, lanthanum, calcium, and potassium may also be introduced into the batch mixture in other forms, including, without limitation, the carbonates, sulfates, hydroxides, silicates, aluminosilicates, or other compounds of these elements. Alternatively, the metal oxides of such materials may be provided as water-soluble compounds which are added as powders or as aqueous solutions to the batch mixture. The addition of these glass-forming components may not be required when one or more of the cordierite-forming raw materials contain a sufficient amount of the glass-forming components as a constituent to provide the necessary amount of glass in the fired porous ceramic honeycomb article. 
     As described above, cordierite-forming raw materials and glass-forming raw materials are combined and mixed together with processing aids such as, for example, a binder and a liquid vehicle, to create a plasticized batch mixture. These processing aids may improve processing and/or reduce drying and/or firing cracking and/or aid in producing desirable properties in the honeycomb article. For example, the binder can include an organic binder. Suitable organic binders include water soluble cellulose ether binders such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose derivatives, hydroxyethyl acrylate, polyvinylalcohol, and/or any combinations thereof. In addition to the liquid vehicle and binder, the plasticized batch composition may include one or more optional forming or processing aid such as, for example, a lubricant. Exemplary lubricants can include tall oil, sodium stearate or other suitable lubricants. 
     After the plasticized batch mixture is extruded to form a green honeycomb article, the green honeycomb article is dried and then fired at 1415° C. to 1426° C. and cooled to room temperature, conditions which are sufficient to form a primary cordierite phase from the inorganic cordierite raw materials and, in some examples, an intercrystalline glass phase. The heating rates through specific portions of the firing cycle, maximum firing temperature, and hold time at maximum temperature are shown for the examples in Tables 5 to 8. 
     After firing, the intercrystalline glass phase is present in an amount ≧4 wt % of the solid portion of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In some embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧5 wt % or even ≧6 wt % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In other embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧7 wt % or even ≧8 wt % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In still other embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧9 wt % or even ≧10 wt % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. An increase of the wt % of the intercrystalline glass phase generally reduces the amount of microcracking which occurs in the porous ceramic honeycomb article upon cooling after firing and during washcoating and calcining. 
     The weight percent of the intercrystalline glass phase in the porous ceramic honeycomb article can be determined by Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction measurements on a powdered sample from the fired ceramic article, or can be determined by (1) selecting a metal oxide which is present as a minor or trace constituent in the porous ceramic honeycomb article and which is strongly partitioned into the intercrystalline glass phase in preference to the cordierite phase or other crystalline phases, (2) measuring the weight percent of that metal oxide in the bulk ceramic specimen such as by x-ray fluorescence or inductively coupled plasma, (3) measuring the weight percent of that metal oxide in the intercrystalline glass phase such as by electron probe microanalysis, and (4) computing the weight percent of glass according to the following mass balance relation:
 
weight % glass=100(weight percent metal oxide in bulk ceramic)/(weight percent of metal oxide in intercrystalline glass phase)
 
     The metal oxides which may be used in this method include calcium oxide and phosphorus oxide, yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, or other rare earth oxide. In cases where the intercrystalline glass phase is separated into two immiscible glass phases within a single pocket of glass during firing or cooling to room temperature after firing, chemical analysis of the intercrystalline glass phases includes a representative mixture of the two immiscible glass phases. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the intercrystalline glass phase is present in the porous ceramic honeycomb article in an amount ≧4 vol. % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In some embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧5 vol. % or even ≧6 vol. % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In other embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧7 vol. % or even ≧8 vol. % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article. In still other embodiments, the intercrystalline glass phase may be present in an amount ≧9 vol. % or even ≧10 vol. % of the porous ceramic honeycomb article where vol. % equals the volume percent of the solid material comprising the porous ceramic honeycomb article, excluding porosity. The volume percent of glass phase is determined from the equation
 
volume % glass=100[(wt % glass)/(ρ g )]/{[(wt % glass)/(ρ g )]+[(100−wt % glass)/2.51]
 
     in which the wt. % glass is derived from wt. % glass equation described above or by Rietveld refinement of x-ray diffraction measurements of the sample and ρ g  is the density of the glass in units of g/cm 3 . The density of the glass may be estimated from the composition of the glass using the model presented in Fluegel, A. (2007) “Global Model for Calculating Room-Temperature Glass Density from the Composition,” J. Am. Cer. Soc., Vol. 90, No. 8, pp. 2622-2625. 
     As noted herein, the glass-forming raw materials may include yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide or other rare earth oxides, calcium oxide, potassium oxide or various combinations thereof. An analysis of the coated MOR*/CFA values for the coated and calcined porous ceramic honeycomb articles indicates that the coated MOR*/CFA value may be related to the wt. % of the glass-forming raw materials in the porous ceramic honeycomb according to the equation:
 
coated MOR*/CFA=−1415 +S   F , wherein
 
 S   F =9200 X   La +1300 X   Y +50000 X   K +36200 X   Ca ; and
 
     X La  is a weight percent of lanthanum oxide in the porous ceramic honeycomb article, X Y  is a weight percent of yttrium oxide in the porous ceramic honeycomb article, X K  is a weight percent of potassium oxide in the porous ceramic honeycomb article, X Ca  is a weight percent of calcium oxide in the porous ceramic honeycomb article. The phrase “in the porous ceramic honeycomb” means the measured concentration of the respective metal oxide in the bulk ceramic. In the embodiments of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein, the value of S F  is ≧12000 to ensure that the coated MOR*/CFA value is at least 10000 psi. In other embodiments the amounts of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, calcium oxide, and potassium oxide present in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article are such that the value of S F ≧14000 or even ≧16000. In yet other embodiments, the amounts of yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, calcium oxide, and potassium oxide present in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article are such that the value of S F ≧18000 or even ≧19000. 
     After firing, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein also comprise domains of cordierite crystallites having a subparallel crystallographic orientation in common with one another within a domain, but having a different crystallographic orientation from the crystallites within adjacent domains. The orientation of the cordierite crystallite domains may be observed by examination of a petrographic thin section of the ceramic using a petrographic microscope. Specifically, a thin section of the ceramic is prepared by first impregnating the channels of the porous ceramic honeycomb article and ceramic pores with an epoxy, allowing the epoxy to harden, and grinding a face of the specimen parallel to the plane of the honeycomb wall to expose the ceramic wall at the ground surface. This ground surface is then mounted with epoxy to a glass microscope slide and the specimen is ground and polished down to 30 microns in thickness so that light can be transmitted through the remaining thickness of the ceramic wall. The petrographic microscope includes a polarizing filter situated below the sample in the light path, a second polarizer filter (“analyzer”) above the sample in the light path, and a full-wave retardation plate inserted into the light path between the filters. Due to the optical anisotropy of the cordierite crystallites (different refractive indices along different crystallographic directions), the interference colors produced by the birefringence of the cordierite crystallites comprising the domains under cross-polarized light will usually appear either as blue or as yellow, depending upon the crystallographic orientation of the crystallites within the domain with respect to the polarizing direction of the filter. The size of these optical domains is proportional to the size of the crystallographic domains comprising the ceramic. A “domain length parameter” is derived by digitizing the four images of each thin section taken at 100× magnification under cross polars and applying stereological principles to the image entailing the construction of ten horizontal lines across the image and measuring the lengths of the line segments where the lines overlaps a domain. The domain length parameter is the average of the lengths of these line segments, and, although different from the actual width of the three-dimensional domain, is proportional to the true domain width and is therefore useful as a relative measure of domain size. 
     In the embodiments of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein, the domain length parameter of the cordierite crystallite domains measured by this technique are generally ≧40 microns. In some embodiments, the domain length parameter of the cordierite crystallite domains is ≧45 microns or even ≧50 microns. In other embodiments, the domain length parameter of the cordierite crystallite domains is ≧55 microns or even ≧60 microns. Large domains are beneficial in contributing to greater microcracking and increased thermal shock resistance after devitrification of the glass phase above 800° C. By way of example and not limitation, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles made utilizing the batch mixtures of Inventive Example 7 of the “Examples” section below, had domain length parameters which were determined to be on the order of 49 microns. However, porous ceramic honeycomb articles made utilizing the batch mixtures of Comparative Example 6 had domain length parameters which were determined to be on the order of 36 microns which, in turn, contributed to lower microcracking following thermal treatment. 
     As noted above, the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article may be washcoated with a catalyst washcoat to enable a catalytic function for either a particulate filter or a flow-through substrate. In the embodiment described herein, the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb articles are washcoated with a catalyst washcoat comprising alumina or an alumina-forming source. However, it should be understood that, in other embodiments, the porous ceramic honeycomb article may be washcoated with different catalyst washcoats containing different catalyst components and/or combinations of catalyst components. For example, in some embodiments, the catalyst component may be a zeolite, platinum or any other suitable catalyst component. 
     In still other embodiments, the porous ceramic honeycomb article may not be washcoated or calcined. In such embodiments, the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article may be exposed to the thermal treatment in the as-fired condition in order to microcrack the article. 
     In the embodiments described herein, the CTE of the as-fired porous ceramic article may be decreased and the thermal shock resistance of the article improved by exposing the article to a thermal treatment at a thermal treatment temperature which is greater than the devitrification temperature of the intercrystalline glass phase. The devitrification temperature of the intercrystalline glass phase is a temperature at which the glass undergoes at least a partial degree of devitrification. In the embodiments described herein, the glass phase generally has a devitrification temperature of ≧800°. The thermal treatment may be applied to the porous ceramic honeycomb article prior to use in an exhaust treatment application. As described above, the thermal treatment comprises exposing at least a portion of the porous ceramic article to temperatures in excess of 800° C. which, in turn, causes the intercrystalline glass phase to partially or completely devitrify and recrystallize. In some embodiments described herein, the thermal treatment comprises cycling the porous ceramic article from 800° C. to 1000° C. for at least two cycles such that the porous ceramic article remains between these temperatures in excess of 32.5 hours. Thereafter, the porous ceramic article is cooled to room temperature. As the article is cooled, microstresses develop in the cordierite domains. Without sufficient intercrystalline glass phase present to absorb these microstresses, the cordierite domains undergo microcracking which, in turn, lowers the CTE of the porous ceramic honeycomb article and improves the thermal shock resistance of the article. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , in one embodiment, the thermal treatment comprises exposing a first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  to a temperature and time sufficient to produce an increase in microcracking and a decrease in CTE while a second portion  152  of the porous ceramic article is maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to preserve a high-strength, low-microcracked state. For example, in one embodiment, the first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  comprises a cylindrical, conical, paraboloidal, or other shaped region within the interior of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100 . The region extends from the central axis  154  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  to a radius R 1 , wherein the radius R 1  is at least 50% of the maximum radius R Max  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100 . The second portion  152  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  comprises the remaining portion of the article including the external skin and peripheral channels. In one embodiment, the thermal treatment of the first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  is performed by flowing a heated gas through the first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  at a temperature and for a time sufficient to promote devitrification of the intercrystalline glass phase and increase the extent of microcracking in the interior of the article. The heated gas generally has a temperature which is greater than the devitrification temperature of the intercrystalline glass phase. Following treatment, the first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  has a first microcrack parameter Nb 3 , as described above, and is encircled by the second portion  152  which has a second treated microcrack parameter Nb 3  which is less than the first microcrack parameter Nb 3 . Accordingly, the first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  has an increase in microcracking and a decrease in CTE while the high strength and low microcracked state of the second portion  152  are preserved. 
     While  FIG. 13  depicts thermally treating a first portion  150  of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  such that distinct portions of the porous ceramic honeycomb article  100  have different characteristics, it should be understood that the thermal treatment may be applied to the entire porous ceramic honeycomb article such that the entire article has the same characteristics after the thermal treatment. 
     It should now be understood that the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein provide a high-strength, low-microcracked as-fired ceramic honeycomb body which preserves its high strength and low elastic modulus after washcoating, catalyzing, and calcining, without the need for a passivation step, while also allowing for an increase in microcracking during exposure to high temperatures such that the thermal shock resistance of the ceramic body is increased during use. 
     Moreover, the implementation of a thermally induced microcracked material after washcoating and calcination eliminates the need for the materials and processing time required for pre-washcoat passivation of the microcracks in the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article. In addition, the porous ceramic honeycomb articles described herein can be readily implemented into standard coating processes since they requires no process changes at the catalyzer. 
     Further, it has been postulated that the failure mode of a microcracked body could be preferred over that of a non-microcracked body due to the ability of the microcracks to provide a toughening mechanism. More specifically, experiments show that a common failure mode for diesel particulate filters under thermal stress from a regeneration event is a crack originating at the periphery of the part and propagating inward, roughly parallel to the inlet and outlet faces. If the crack runs completely through the porous ceramic honeycomb article separating the article into two sections, it is termed a ring-off crack. If the crack only extends inward only partway, then the crack is termed a rim crack. It has been found that ring-off cracks result in a step change increase in soot leakage from the porous ceramic article, whereas rim cracks do not result in a change in filtration efficiency. For this reason, the rim crack is not regarded as a filter failure, but the ring-off crack is. It has been observed that more highly microcracked cordierite ceramics survive higher temperatures and larger thermal gradients before undergoing ring-off cracking than cordierite ceramics that remain largely non-microcracked even after exposure to elevated temperatures. 
     Examples 
     The embodiments described herein will be further clarified by the following examples. 
     Raw materials used to make the inventive and comparative examples described herein are listed in Table 1, along with the values of D 10 , D 50 , and D 90  of their particle size distribution, as measured by Microtrac. The quantity D 50 , as used herein, refers to the median particle size of the particles in the particle size distribution. The quantity D 10 , as used herein, is the particle diameter at which 10% of the particle size distribution is comprised of particles whose diameters are smaller than the value of D 10 . Similarly, the quantity D 90 , as used herein, is the particle diameter at which 90% of the particle size distribution is comprised of particles whose diameters are smaller than the value of D 90 . Chemical compositions of the raw materials are provided in Table 2. The raw material mixtures of Table 3 are indicative of Inventive Examples while Table 4 contains the raw material mixtures for Comparative Examples. Also provided in Tables 3 and 4 are the calculated estimates of the compositions of the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb articles made from the respective raw material mixtures as computed from the compositions of the raw materials in Table 2. The porous ceramic articles made according to the Inventive Examples were expected to have domain length parameters ≧40 microns. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Raw materials used in the examples 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 D 10   
                 D 50   
                 D 90   
               
               
                 Raw Material 
                 Supplier 
                 Product Code 
                 (microns) 
                 (microns) 
                 (microns) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Talc A 
                 Luzenac 
                 Jetfil 500 
                 4.4 
                 9.7 
                 19 
               
               
                 Talc B 
                 Barretts Minerals 
                 93-37 
                 3.4 
                 8.5 
                 18.1 
               
               
                 Talc C 
                 Barretts Minerals 
                 96-67 
                 5.3 
                 15.8 
                 36.5 
               
               
                 Talc D 
                 Luzenac 
                 FCOR 
                 9.4 
                 23.9 
                 46.7 
               
               
                 Spinel 
                 CE Minerals 
                 Spinel 25 (milled) 
                 1.5 
                 6.7 
                 14.2 
               
               
                 Alumina A 
                 Almatis, Inc. 
                 A3000 
                 0.7 
                 3.3 
                 7.7 
               
               
                 Alumina B 
                 Almatis, Inc. 
                 HVA 
                 3.3 
                 6.6 
                 19.7 
               
               
                 Aluminum Hydroxide 
                 J. M. Huber Corporation 
                 Micral 6000 
                 1.8 
                 5.2 
                 10.8 
               
               
                 Boehmite 
                 Sasol North America Inc. 
                 Dispal 18N4-80 
                 0.05 
                 0.13 
                 0.36 
               
               
                 Kaolin A 
                 Engelhard Corporation 
                 CSG-04 
                 0.9 
                 3.3 
                 8.0 
               
               
                 Kaolin B 
                 Engelhard Corporation 
                 CHC-94 
                 2.4 
                 7.3 
                 17.2 
               
               
                 Quartz 
                 Unimin Specialty Minerals, Inc. 
                 Imsil A25 
                 1.1 
                 4.5 
                 17.5 
               
               
                 Lanthanum Oxide 
                 Molycorp, Inc. 
                 5205 
                 3.2 
                 8.7 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Yttrium Oxide 
                 H. C. Starck, GmbH 
                 Grade C 
                 0.4 
                 1.1 
                 5.0 
               
               
                 Feldspar 
                 Feldspar Corporation/Zemex 
                 G-200 HP 
                 3.9 
                 18.8 
                 53.6 
               
               
                   
                 Industrial Minerals Inc. 
               
               
                 Strontium Carbonate 
                 Chemical Products Corporation 
                 Type W 
                 1.7 
                 6.3 
                 13.1 
               
               
                 Attapulgite 
                 Active Minerals Co. LLC 
                 Acti-Gel ® 208 
                 5.8 
                 14.7* 
                 30.2 
               
               
                 Bentonite 
                 Wyo-Ben, Inc. 
                 Big Horn CH 325 −20 μm 
                 0.8 
                 2.6 
                 14.4 
               
               
                 Graphite A 
                 Asbury Carbons 
                 4014, −280 mesh 
                 3.5 
                 8.3 
                 16.6 
               
               
                 Graphite B 
                 Asbury Carbons 
                 4602, 4566 
                 10.5 
                 36.4 
                 71.1 
               
               
                 Graphite C 
                 Asbury Carbons 
                 4566, +30 μm 
                 28.4 
                 56.2 
                 97.7 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour A 
                 Eco-Shell, Inc. 
                 −325 
                 4.7 
                 26.8 
                 70.1 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour B 
                 Eco-Shell, Inc. 
                 −200 
                 9.4 
                 28.9 
                 62.9 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour C 
                 Eco-Shell, Inc. 
                 +30 μm 
                 23.1 
                 42.3 
                 78.1 
               
               
                 Cross-Linked Wheat Starch A 
                 MGP Ingredients, Inc. 
                 Fibersym RW 
                 11.2 
                 19.2 
                 30.1 
               
               
                 Cross-Linked Wheat Starch B 
                 MGP Ingredients, Inc. 
                 Fibersym RW, +20 μm 
                 14.3 
                 22.1 
                 33.9 
               
               
                 Methyl Cellulose 
                 The Dow Chemical Co. 
                 METHOCEL ™ F240 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Hydrogenated Dimeric 1-Decene 
                 Innovene USA LLC 
                 Durasyn ® 162 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Stearic Acid 
                 Cognis Corp. 
                 Emersol 120 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Sodium Stearate 
                 Witco Corp. 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Tall Oil Fatty Acid 
                 S and S Chemical Co. 
                 L-5 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 *Flocculated particles 
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Raw material compositions in terms of weight percentages of the metal oxides 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 LOI 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 at 
               
               
                   
                 MgO 
                 Al 2 O 3   
                 SiO 2   
                 Fe 2 O 3   
                 TiO 2   
                 Na 2 O 
                 K 2 O 
                 CaO 
                 NiO 
                 Cr 2 O 3   
                 P 2 O 5   
                 1000° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Talc A 
                 30.14 
                 0.19 
                 60.60 
                 2.32 
                 0.00 
                 0.010 
                 0.00 
                 0.120 
                 0.48 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 5.4 
               
               
                 Talc B 
                 31.05 
                 1.02 
                 61.49 
                 1.08 
                 0.06 
                 0.040 
                 0.00 
                 0.160 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 5.1 
               
               
                 Talc C 
                 31.31 
                 0.85 
                 60.60 
                 1.02 
                 0.05 
                 0.040 
                 0.00 
                 0.160 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 5.3 
               
               
                 Talc D 
                 30.13 
                 0.19 
                 59.40 
                 2.55 
                 0.00 
                 0.010 
                 0.00 
                 0.230 
                 0.45 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 6.3 
               
               
                 Spinel 
                 22.60 
                 76.10 
                 0.31 
                 0.13 
                 0.00 
                 0.210 
                 0.00 
                 0.320 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 Alumina A 
                 0.00 
                 99.87 
                 0.015 
                 0.011 
                 0.00 
                 0.067 
                 0.005 
                 0.029 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 Alumina B 
                 0.00 
                 99.90 
                 0.008 
                 0.014 
                 0.00 
                 0.067 
                 0.005 
                 0.010 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 Aluminum Hydroxide 
                 0.002 
                 64.90 
                 0.006 
                 0.005 
                 0.00 
                 0.202 
                 0.001 
                 0.024 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 34.8 
               
               
                 Boehmite 
                 0.00 
                 79.99 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.004 
                 0.005 
                 0.000 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 20.0 
               
               
                 Kaolin A 
                 0.06 
                 37.80 
                 44.40 
                 0.49 
                 1.14 
                 0.090 
                 0.070 
                 0.030 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 14.6 
               
               
                 Kaolin B 
                 0.07 
                 38.18 
                 45.10 
                 0.21 
                 0.99 
                 0.070 
                 0.040 
                 0.050 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.05 
                 14.2 
               
               
                 Quartz 
                 0.008 
                 0.260 
                 99.52 
                 0.047 
                 0.018 
                 0.076 
                 0.042 
                 0.009 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.019 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 Feldspar 
                 0.00 
                 18.96 
                 66.40 
                 0.08 
                 0.00 
                 2.98 
                 10.54 
                 0.64 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 Attapulgite 
                 10.47 
                 9.57 
                 50.90 
                 2.97 
                 0.35 
                 0.58 
                 0.58 
                 2.20 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 — 
                 21.5 
               
               
                 Bentonite 
                 2.12 
                 15.62 
                 70.00 
                 4.00 
                 0.16 
                 2.21 
                 0.40 
                 1.38 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.08 
                 11.2 
               
               
                 Graphite B 
                 0.000 
                 0.047 
                 0.092 
                 0.500 
                 0.019 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.025 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 99.3 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour 
                 0.040 
                 0.00 
                 0.015 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.002 
                 0.002 
                 0.154 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.032 
                 99.8 
               
               
                 Wheat Starch 
                 0.009 
                 0.00 
                 0.004 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.256 
                 0.007 
                 0.018 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.596 
                 98.7 
               
               
                 Sodium Stearate 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 10.08 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 89.9 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Parts by weight of raw materials used in the inventive examples, 
               
               
                 and estimated compositions of the fired ceramic bodies 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Inventive Example 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
                 4 
                 5 
                 6 
                 7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 93-37 Talc 
                 41.54 
                 — 
                 41.54 
                 41.54 
                 — 
                 41.54 
                 — 
               
               
                 96-67 Talc 
                 — 
                 38.98 
                 — 
                 — 
                 41.35 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Jetfil 500 Talc 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 42.38 
               
               
                 HVA-FG Alumina 
                 27.93 
                 14.19 
                 27.93 
                 27.93 
                 26.46 
                 27.93 
                 30.12 
               
               
                 Micral 6000 Al(OH) 3   
                 — 
                 16.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Dispal 18N4-80 Boehmite 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 5.00 
               
               
                 CSG-04 Kaolin 
                 13.85 
                 — 
                 13.85 
                 13.85 
                 — 
                 13.85 
                 — 
               
               
                 CHC-94 Kaolin 
                 — 
                 16.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 16.00 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Imsil A25 Quartz 
                 16.59 
                 14.83 
                 16.59 
                 16.59 
                 16.18 
                 16.59 
                 23.50 
               
               
                 Bentonite 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Attapulgite 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 5.00 
               
               
                 La 2 O 3   
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Y 2 O 3   
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 Feldspar 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 4602/4566 Graphite 
                 — 
                 15.00 
                 — 
                 20.00 
                 20.00 
                 10.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour −325 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 40.00 
               
               
                 XL Wheat Starch 
                 25.00 
                 20.00 
                 — 
                 25.00 
                 30.00 
                 25.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 XL Wheat Starch +20 μm 
                 — 
                 — 
                 20.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Methocel (A4M or F240) 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
               
               
                 Liga sodium stearate 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
               
                 MgO 
                 13.17 
                 13.20 
                 13.31 
                 13.15 
                 13.35 
                 13.29 
                 13.08 
               
               
                 Al 2 O 3   
                 34.53 
                 33.72 
                 34.71 
                 34.50 
                 33.89 
                 34.67 
                 33.89 
               
               
                 SiO 2   
                 49.92 
                 50.50 
                 49.77 
                 49.87 
                 50.32 
                 49.72 
                 50.08 
               
               
                 Fe 2 O 3   
                 0.54 
                 0.60 
                 0.54 
                 0.64 
                 0.62 
                 0.59 
                 1.22 
               
               
                 TiO 2   
                 0.192 
                 0.200 
                 0.194 
                 0.195 
                 0.193 
                 0.195 
                 0.021 
               
               
                 Na 2 O 
                 0.259 
                 0.305 
                 0.218 
                 0.259 
                 0.264 
                 0.231 
                 0.169 
               
               
                 K 2 O 
                 0.129 
                 0.134 
                 0.021 
                 0.129 
                 0.022 
                 0.021 
                 0.041 
               
               
                 CaO 
                 0.086 
                 0.114 
                 0.080 
                 0.091 
                 0.107 
                 0.083 
                 0.269 
               
               
                 NiO 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.187 
               
               
                 P 2 O 5   
                 0.156 
                 0.145 
                 0.127 
                 0.156 
                 0.200 
                 0.157 
                 0.017 
               
               
                 Y 2 O 3   
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 1.02 
                 1.03 
                 0.98 
               
               
                 La 2 O 3   
                 1.02 
                 1.07 
                 1.03 
                 1.02 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
                 0.00 
               
               
                 Calculated S F   
                 18962 
                 20708 
                 13421 
                 19120 
                 18231 
                 17462 
                 24476 
               
               
                 Calculated S B   
                 15300 
                 17700 
                 9300 
                 15300 
                 15800 
                 13400 
                 18400 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Parts by weight of raw materials used in the comparative examples, 
               
               
                 and estimated compositions of the fired ceramic bodies 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Comparative Example 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 C1 
                 C2 
                 C3 
                 C4 
                 C5 
                 C6 
                 C7 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 93-37 Talc 
                 41.54 
                 41.54 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 96-67 Talc 
                 — 
                 — 
                 41.35 
                 41.35 
                 23.47 
                 23.47 
                 — 
               
               
                 FCor Talc 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 42.38 
               
               
                 Spinel 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 25.00 
                 25.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 HVA-FG Alumina 
                 27.93 
                 27.93 
                 26.46 
                 26.46 
                 9.34 
                 9.34 
                 — 
               
               
                 A3000 Alumina 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 30.12 
               
               
                 Dispal 18N4-80 Boehmite 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 5.00 
               
               
                 CSG-04 Kaolin 
                 13.85 
                 13.85 
                 16.00 
                 16.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 CHC-94 Kaolin 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 16.00 
                 16.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 Imsil A25 Quartz 
                 16.59 
                 16.59 
                 16.18 
                 16.18 
                 26.12 
                 26.12 
                 23.50 
               
               
                 Bentonite Ch 325 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 — 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 2.50 
               
               
                 Feldspar G-200 
                 0.50 
                 — 
                 0.50 
                 — 
                 2.00 
                 2.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 Strontium Carbonate 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 1.50 
               
               
                 4014 Graphite −280 mesh 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 10.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 4602/4566 Graphite 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 20.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 4566 Graphite +30 μm 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 20.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour −200 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 40.00 
               
               
                 Walnut Shell Flour +30 μm 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 40.00 
                 40.00 
                 — 
               
               
                 FiberSym Wheat Starch 
                 25.00 
                 25.00 
                 25.00 
                 25.00 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 F240 Methocel 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
                 6.00 
               
               
                 Liga sodium stearate 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
                 1.00 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Calculated ceramic composition (wt %) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 MgO 
                 13.36 
                 13.33 
                 13.55 
                 13.51 
                 13.17 
                 13.17 
                 12.81 
               
               
                 Al 2 O 3   
                 34.95 
                 34.88 
                 34.32 
                 34.25 
                 35.53 
                 35.53 
                 34.20 
               
               
                 SiO 2   
                 50.32 
                 50.42 
                 50.74 
                 50.83 
                 49.88 
                 49.88 
                 50.23 
               
               
                 Fe 2 O 3   
                 0.60 
                 0.64 
                 0.59 
                 0.63 
                 0.46 
                 0.46 
                 1.09 
               
               
                 TiO 2   
                 0.196 
                 0.197 
                 0.219 
                 0.219 
                 0.183 
                 0.183 
                 0.01 
               
               
                 Na 2 O 
                 0.247 
                 0.254 
                 0.251 
                 0.257 
                 0.283 
                 0.283 
                 0.20 
               
               
                 K 2 O 
                 0.076 
                 0.026 
                 0.077 
                 0.027 
                 0.235 
                 0.235 
                 0.02 
               
               
                 CaO 
                 0.087 
                 0.099 
                 0.089 
                 0.101 
                 0.223 
                 0.223 
                 0.16 
               
               
                 NiO 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.20 
               
               
                 P 2 O 5   
                 0.158 
                 0.158 
                 0.163 
                 0.163 
                 0.029 
                 0.029 
                 0.02 
               
               
                 SrO 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 0.000 
                 1.04 
               
               
                 Calculated S F   
                 6958 
                 4885 
                 7076 
                 4996 
                 19834 
                 19834 
                 7105 
               
               
                 Calculated S B   
                 3000 
                 2400 
                 3000 
                 2400 
                 14400 
                 14400 
                 6000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In order to form the porous ceramic honeycomb articles of the Inventive Examples and the Comparative Examples, inorganic cordierite-forming raw materials were mixed with glass-forming additives such as yttrium oxide, lanthanum oxide, strontium carbonate, bentonite, attapulgite, and alkali feldspar, together with pore-forming agents, binders, lubricants, and water to form a plasticized batch mixture. The batch mixture was then extruded into a green honeycomb article. The green honeycomb article was dried and then fired at 1415 to 1426° C. and cooled to room temperature, conditions which were sufficient to form a primary cordierite phase from the inorganic cordierite-forming raw materials and, in the Inventive Examples, an intercrystalline glass phase. The heating rates through specific portions of the firing cycle, maximum firing temperature, and hold time at the maximum temperature for each example are shown in Tables 5 to 8. Tables 5 to 8 also contain the physical properties of the as-fired porous ceramic honeycomb article and, for most examples, the physical properties of the washcoated honeycomb article after calcination as well as the physical properties of the washcoated honeycomb article after exposure to a thermal treatment. In two cases (Examples 7 and C7), the honeycomb bodies were not washcoated, in which instances property data is provided for the as-fired body and for the non-coated body after exposure to a thermal treatment at 850° C. for 82 hours or at 1100° C. for 2 hours. 
     For washcoating studies, the honeycomb samples were first plugged in alternate channels on either end to form wall-flow particulate filters. Washcoating of the samples was conducted by immersing the honeycomb samples in a suspension of colloidal aluminum oxide hydroxide (Nyacol AL20SD from Nyacol Nano Technologies, Inc.). The pH of the aqueous suspension was adjusted to 2.0 with nitric acid. After coating, excess slurry was blown out of the porous walls and channels, the samples were dried, and then calcined in air at 550° C. for 4 hours. Typical washcoat pick-up was approximately 15 weight percent. The washcoated samples were subsequently subjected to thermal treatment in a gas kiln with about 10% H 2 O according to the temperature cycle given in Table 9. Cumulative times above various temperatures are listed in Table 10. 
     Properties were measured as described above. I-ratio and amounts secondary crystalline phases were determined by XRD using standard techniques. 
     Inventive Examples 1 to 6, which contain 1% Y 2 O 3  or 1% La 2 O 3 , in some cases with bentonite and/or feldspar, exhibited high MOR/CFA values and MOR*/CFA values after washcoating and calcination, as indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and a low degree of microcracking, as indicated in  FIG. 6 . The retention of a high MOR*/CFA values and low Nb 3  values after washcoating is consistent with the high values of the S B  and S F  parameters for these examples ( FIGS. 9 to 12 ). Specifically referring to  FIGS. 9-12 , the region of  FIG. 9  delimited by the boundary at S F ≧12000 and coated MOR*/CFA≧10000 psi defines the Inventive Examples of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles. Similarly, in  FIG. 10 , the region delimited by boundary at S B ≧8000 and MOR*/CFA≧10000 psi defines Inventive Examples of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles. In  FIG. 11 , the region delimited by the boundary at Nb 3 ≦0.09 and S F ≧12000 psi defines the Inventive Examples of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles. Similarly, in  FIG. 12 , the region delimited by the boundary at Nb 3 ≦0.09 and S B ≧8000 psi defines Inventive Examples of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles of the porous ceramic honeycomb articles. 
     The washcoated Inventive Examples also exhibited a ratio of E 500° C. /E 25 ° of less than 1.05, as indicated in  FIG. 7 . After thermal treatment at 800-1100° C. for 32.5 hours, the inventive examples exhibited a first treated mean CTE(25-800° C.)≦12×10 −7 ° C. −1 , as indicated in  FIG. 8 , and a microcrack index ≧0.20, as indicated in  FIG. 6 , which may be expected to provide excellent thermal shock resistance. 
     Inventive Example 7 was not washcoated, but was thermally treated at 850° C. for 82 hours and also at 1100° C. for 2 hours. After heating at either condition, the sample underwent a substantial increase in the microcrack index and a decrease in the first treated mean CTE(25-800° C.) to values of 10.5×10 −7 ° C. −1  and 12×10 −7 ° C. −1  at the respective thermal treatment conditions. Although no washcoating experiments were conducted on Inventive Example 7, this material was subjected to a 1 hour treatment at pH=3 followed by a calcination step to 550° C. for 1 hour. The Nb 3  value following this treatment was measured to be only 0.04. This shows only a small increase relative to the as-fired part, so that the part still is largely non-microcracked. 
     Comparative Examples C1 to C4 contain only 0.5% feldspar or 1.0% bentonite which do not yield sufficient glass to suppress microcracking to the desired levels before and after washcoating. As such, the S B  and S F  for Comparative Examples C1 and C4 fall outside the range of the inventive examples. Consequently, the coated MOR/CFA value and the coated MOR*/CFA are outside the inventive range after washcoating, as indicated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and the coated microcracking levels are elevated, as indicated by  FIG. 6 , consistent with the low values for S B  and S F  parameters as indicated in  FIGS. 9 to 12 . Penetration of the microcracks by washcoat particles is evident from the high values of E 500° C. /E 25° C.  for the Comparative Examples as indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
     Comparative Examples C5 and C6 contained sufficient amounts of glass-forming additives (2% feldspar+1% bentonite and high values of S B  and S F ) to suppress microcracking and provide high strength in the as-fired and washcoated ware. However, the combination of spinel and kaolin in the raw material mixture used to form the cordierite results in a reduction in domain size in the as-fired article to dimensions which are insufficient to enable the desired degree of microcrack propagation after thermal treatment at 800-1100° C. for 32.5 hours, as indicated by the values of first treated mean CTE(25-800° C.)&gt;12×10 −7 ° C. −1  in  FIG. 8 . 
     Comparative Example C7 contained strontium carbonate and bentonite as glass-forming additives. Although Comparative Example C7 was not washcoated, it was found that this sample did not undergo the desired increase in microcracking after thermal treatment, as indicated by the very low microcrack index of much less than 0.20 and a first treated mean CTE much greater than 12×10 −7 ° C. −1 . The lack of significant microcrack growth is attributed to the use of strontium as a glass-forming additive, which serves to reduce the domain size in the ceramic by altering the nucleation and growth of the cordierite crystals. Therefore, the use of strontium as a glass-former is undesired. 
     To demonstrate the benefit of increased microcracking after thermal exposure on thermal shock resistance, the following experiment was undertaken. Honeycomb specimens of Examples 7 and C7 in 10.5 inch diameter by 12 inch long geometries were plugged to form diesel particulate filters and were canned and tested in an uncoated state. The testing consisted of a high stress thermal cycling test at moderate max temperature (˜850° C.). The high stress was achieved by engine conditions set up to provide a high radial thermal gradient. The parts were cycled between high and low temperatures for a number of cycles, then periodically examined for cracks. 2500 cycles was used to simulate a lifetime of high stress events in application. It was found that Inventive Example 7 completed 2510 cycles without failure while Comparative Example C7 failed after less than 150 cycles. This experiment shows that the composition that undergoes an increase in microcrack density during heat treatment is able to perform well in durability trials, and that evolution of cracks has not negatively impacted the performance of the filter. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the specification cover the modifications and variations of the various embodiments described herein provided such modification and variations come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Properties of inventive examples 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1 
                 2 
                 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1.0% La 2 O 3   
                 1.0% La 2 O 3   
                   
               
               
                   
                 1.0% Feldspar 
                 1.0% Feldspar 
                 1.0% La 2 O 3   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 75 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 20 
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 28 
                   
                   
                 28 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1420 
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 12 
                   
                   
                 15 
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 275/14 
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar 
                 0.301 
                 0.325 
                 0.321 
                 0.295 
                 0.307 
                 0.297 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 (g/cm 3 ) 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.273 
                 0.273 
                 0.273 
                 0.273 
                 0.273 
                 0.273 
                 0.410 
                 0.410 
                 0.410 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 56.0 
                   
                   
                 57.0 
                   
                   
                 55.2 
                 50.7 
                 50.7 
               
               
                 d 1   
                 6.9 
                   
                   
                 8.3 
                   
                   
                 3.9 
                   
                 0.5 
               
               
                 d 2   
                 8.1 
                   
                   
                 9.1 
                   
                   
                 4.7 
                   
                 3.4 
               
               
                 d 5   
                 9.6 
                   
                   
                 10.3 
                   
                   
                 6.3 
                   
                 5.9 
               
               
                 d 10   
                 10.9 
                   
                   
                 11.4 
                   
                   
                 7.8 
                   
                 7.3 
               
               
                 d 25   
                 12.7 
                   
                   
                 13.1 
                   
                   
                 9.7 
                   
                 9.2 
               
               
                 d 50   
                 14.2 
                   
                   
                 15.0 
                   
                   
                 11.4 
                   
                 10.5 
               
               
                 d 75   
                 16.2 
                   
                   
                 17.9 
                   
                   
                 12.5 
                   
                 11.4 
               
               
                 d 90   
                 25.9 
                   
                   
                 28.5 
                   
                   
                 14.3 
                   
                 13.4 
               
               
                 d 95   
                 69.9 
                   
                   
                 54.7 
                   
                   
                 19.4 
                   
                 20.6 
               
               
                 d 98   
                 162.4 
                   
                   
                 128.6 
                   
                   
                 54.8 
                   
                 76.6 
               
               
                 d 99   
                 222.6 
                   
                   
                 180.6 
                   
                   
                 110.0 
                   
                 150.0 
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.23 
                   
                   
                 0.24 
                   
                   
                 0.32 
                   
                 0.31 
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 0.83 
                   
                   
                 0.90 
                   
                   
                 0.25 
                   
                 0.27 
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 1.05 
                   
                   
                 1.14 
                   
                   
                 0.57 
                   
                 0.58 
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 15.5 
                 16.2 
                 11.3 
                 15.7 
                 14.0 
                 10.1 
                 14.2 
                 13.7 
                 8.9 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.   
                 19.8 
                 20.5 
                 15.8 
                 19.4 
                 18.5 
                 14.8 
                 18.8 
                 18.2 
                 13.3 
               
               
                 (10 −7 /° C.) 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 22.7 
                 23.4 
                 18.4 
                 22.4 
                 21.4 
                 17.4 
                 21.8 
                 21.5 
                 15.6 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.73 
                   
                   
                 0.78 
                   
                   
                 0.77 
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.62 
                   
                   
                 0.55 
                   
                   
                 0.57 
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.65 
                   
                   
                 0.63 
                   
                   
                 0.64 
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 0.7 
                   
                   
                 0.6 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 1.0 
                   
                   
                 0.8 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 773 
                 751 
                 246 
                 767 
                 666 
                 229 
                 1208 
                 914 
                 470 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 2832 
                 2751 
                 901 
                 2810 
                 2440 
                 839 
                 2946 
                 2230 
                 1146 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 19494 
                 18939 
                 6204 
                 20417 
                 17728 
                 6096 
                 19408 
                 11759 
                 6041 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 5.26 
                 6.15 
                 3.60 
                 5.50 
                 4.72 
                 3.15 
                 9.51 
                 8.96 
                 6.42 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 5.13 
                 6.30 
                 3.75 
                 5.35 
                 4.81 
                 3.26 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 5.02 
                 6.18 
                 4.20 
                 5.23 
                 4.71 
                 3.58 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.85 
                 6.05 
                 4.56 
                 4.94 
                 4.54 
                 3.76 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.79 
                 6.02 
                 5.01 
                 4.89 
                 4.48 
                 4.03 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.975 
                 1.024 
                 1.042 
                 0.973 
                 1.019 
                 1.035 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.954 
                 1.005 
                 1.167 
                 0.951 
                 0.998 
                 1.137 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.033 
                 0.052 
                 0.347 
                 0.024 
                 0.051 
                 0.264 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Properties of inventive examples 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 4 
                 5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 1.0% La 2 O 3   
                 1.0% Y 2 O 3   
               
               
                   
                 1.0% Feldspar 
                 1.0% Bentonite 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 28 
                   
                   
                 28 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1415 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 12 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar (g/cm 3 ) 
                 0.267 
                 0.322 
                 0.299 
                 0.268 
                 0.306 
                 0.286 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.267 
                 0.267 
                 0.267 
                 0.280 
                 0.280 
                 0.280 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 60.1 
                   
                   
                 61.8 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 1   
                 6.8 
                   
                   
                 9.9 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 2   
                 8.2 
                   
                   
                 10.8 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 5   
                 10.2 
                   
                   
                 12.5 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 10   
                 11.7 
                   
                   
                 13.9 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 25   
                 14.1 
                   
                   
                 16.3 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 50   
                 16.1 
                   
                   
                 18.9 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 75   
                 18.9 
                   
                   
                 23.3 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 90   
                 33.1 
                   
                   
                 40.6 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 95   
                 87.9 
                   
                   
                 82.7 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 98   
                 182.8 
                   
                   
                 168.4 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d 99   
                 241.1 
                   
                   
                 225.4 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.27 
                   
                   
                 0.26 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 1.05 
                   
                   
                 1.15 
                   
                   
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 1.33 
                   
                   
                 1.41 
                   
                   
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 14.8 
                 14.8 
                 11.0 
                 16.7 
                 15.3 
                 9.7 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 18.8 
                 19.0 
                 15.3 
                 20.1 
                 19.2 
                 13.7 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 21.6 
                 21.5 
                 16.0 
                 23.4 
                 22.2 
                 16.2 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.79 
                   
                   
                 0.77 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.60 
                   
                   
                 0.59 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.65 
                   
                   
                 0.64 
                   
                   
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 0.5 
                   
                   
                 0.7 
                   
                   
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 0.9 
                   
                   
                 0.7 
                   
                   
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0 
                   
                   
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 680 
                 555 
                 213 
                 631 
                 565 
                 143 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 2547 
                 2079 
                 798 
                 2254 
                 2018 
                 511 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 22065 
                 18009 
                 6912 
                 21628 
                 19366 
                 4902 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.71 
                 5.16 
                 3.25 
                 3.54 
                 4.54 
                 2.40 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.61 
                 5.25 
                 3.35 
                 3.47 
                 4.72 
                 2.50 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.51 
                 5.11 
                 3.67 
                 3.35 
                 4.61 
                 2.76 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.37 
                 4.98 
                 3.89 
                 3.18 
                 4.43 
                 2.97 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.33 
                 4.95 
                 4.13 
                 3.07 
                 4.52 
                 3.21 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.973 
                 1.017 
                 1.031 
                 0.980 
                 1.040 
                 1.042 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.946 
                 0.990 
                 1.129 
                 0.946 
                 1.015 
                 1.150 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.025 
                 0.048 
                 0.261 
                 0.015 
                 0.068 
                 0.318 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 6 
                 7 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 1.0% Y 2 O 3   
               
               
                   
                 1.0% Y 2 O 3   
                 5.0% Actigel 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                 850° C. 
                 1100° C. 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 82 h 
                 2 h 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 35 
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 75 
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 75 
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 6 
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 28 
                   
                   
                 6 
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1426 
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 30 
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 8.5 
                   
                   
                 275/8 
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar (g/cm 3 ) 
                 0 
                   
                 0.295 
                 0.292 
                 0.296 
                 0.300 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.265 
                 0.265 
                 0.265 
                 0.259 
                 0.263 
                 0.266 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 58.0 
                   
                   
                 55.1 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 1   
                 6.3 
                   
                   
                 8.2 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 2   
                 7.7 
                   
                   
                 9.6 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 5   
                 9.4 
                   
                   
                 11.4 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 10   
                 10.7 
                   
                   
                 12.9 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 25   
                 12.6 
                   
                   
                 15.4 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 50   
                 14.3 
                   
                   
                 18.7 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 75   
                 16.8 
                   
                   
                 23.1 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 90   
                 27.9 
                   
                   
                 37.8 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 95   
                 68.9 
                   
                   
                 76.9 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 98   
                 154.0 
                   
                   
                 158.1 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d 99   
                 208.9 
                   
                   
                 205.3 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.25 
                   
                   
                 0.31 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 0.95 
                   
                   
                 1.02 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 1.20 
                   
                   
                 1.33 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 14.5 
                 13.5 
                 8.8 
                 15.0 
                 10.5 
                 12.0 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 18.4 
                 16.5 
                 13.0 
                 19.4 
                 14.9 
                 16.1 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 21.1 
                 21.0 
                 16.1 
                 22.6 
                 17.5 
                 18.5 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.81 
                   
                   
                 0.74 
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.57 
                   
                   
                 0.58 
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.65 
                   
                   
                 0.65 
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0.0 
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 1.1 
                   
                   
                 1.2 
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0.0 
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 610 
                 509 
                 169 
                 739 
                 481 
                 419 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 2302 
                 1921 
                 638 
                 2850 
                 1830 
                 1573 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 17679 
                 14751 
                 4898 
                 18748 
                 12038 
                 10346 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.97 
                 3.86 
                 2.46 
                 4.82 
                 4.03 
                 3.83 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.87 
                 4.02 
                 2.57 
                 4.69 
                 4.00 
                 3.88 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.79 
                 3.93 
                 2.84 
                 4.57 
                 4.08 
                 3.97 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.69 
                 3.86 
                 3.06 
                 4.41 
                 4.14 
                 4.19 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.49 
                 3.69 
                 3.34 
                 3.89 
                 4.24 
                 4.20 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.975 
                 1.041 
                 1.045 
                 0.973 
                 0.993 
                 1.013 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.955 
                 1.018 
                 1.154 
                 0.948 
                 1.012 
                 1.037 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.032 
                 0.076 
                 0.333 
                 0.020 
                 0.125 
                 0.186 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Properties of comparative examples 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 C1 
                 C2 
                 C3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 0.5% Feldspar 
                 1.0% Bentonite 
                 0.5% Feldspar 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
                   
                   
                 65 
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 28 
                   
                   
                 28 
                   
                   
                 28 
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1415 
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 12 
                   
                   
                 12 
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 300/8.5 
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar 
                 0.285 
                 0.289 
                 0.293 
                 0.273 
                 0.295 
                 0.294 
                 0.287 
                 0.300 
                 0.296 
               
               
                 (g/cm 3 ) 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.261 
                 0.232 
                 0.249 
                 0.269 
                 0.256 
                 0.257 
                 0.266 
                 0.259 
                 0.266 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 56.5 
                 50.4 
                 53.0 
                 59.5 
                 54.0 
                 54.4 
                 57.0 
                 53.8 
                 55.6 
               
               
                 d 1   
                 9.1 
                 0.4 
                 0.0 
                 7.3 
                 2.8 
                 0.0 
                 10.3 
                 0.4 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 d 2   
                 10.4 
                 1.0 
                 0.0 
                 8.8 
                 5.7 
                 0.0 
                 12.0 
                 1.2 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 d 5   
                 12.2 
                 3.4 
                 0.0 
                 10.7 
                 8.4 
                 0.0 
                 13.9 
                 5.6 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 d 10   
                 13.6 
                 6.2 
                 3.9 
                 12.3 
                 10.6 
                 0.0 
                 15.4 
                 10.0 
                 3.2 
               
               
                 d 25   
                 15.9 
                 13.7 
                 14.9 
                 14.8 
                 13.0 
                 9.0 
                 18.2 
                 14.8 
                 16.2 
               
               
                 d 50   
                 18.3 
                 17.9 
                 19.3 
                 17.1 
                 15.2 
                 19.2 
                 21.3 
                 18.5 
                 22.9 
               
               
                 d 75   
                 21.5 
                 22.5 
                 24.4 
                 20.1 
                 18.1 
                 23.9 
                 26.4 
                 24.1 
                 30.2 
               
               
                 d 90   
                 40.1 
                 61.3 
                 52.9 
                 33.6 
                 38.9 
                 51.3 
                 46.6 
                 58.9 
                 64.4 
               
               
                 d 95   
                 93.7 
                 157.9 
                 132.8 
                 79.6 
                 116.1 
                 140.9 
                 88.9 
                 146.8 
                 148.1 
               
               
                 d 98   
                 181.6 
                 263.0 
                 254.4 
                 170.9 
                 228.1 
                 271.6 
                 170.4 
                 258.1 
                 276.8 
               
               
                 d 99   
                 251.4 
                 305.4 
                 329.0 
                 242.1 
                 278.6 
                 342.6 
                 237.2 
                 304.2 
                 347.1 
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.26 
                 0.66 
                 0.80 
                 0.28 
                 0.30 
                 1.00 
                 0.28 
                 0.46 
                 0.86 
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 1.19 
                 2.41 
                 1.74 
                 0.96 
                 1.57 
                 1.67 
                 1.19 
                 2.18 
                 1.82 
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 1.45 
                 3.07 
                 2.54 
                 1.25 
                 1.87 
                 2.66 
                 1.46 
                 2.64 
                 2.68 
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.   
                 14.0 
                 13.0 
                 8.3 
                 12.9 
                 11.4 
                 8.2 
                 15.2 
                 11.9 
                 11.1 
               
               
                 (10 −7 /° C.) 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.   
                 18.1 
                 17.7 
                 13.0 
                 17.8 
                 16.4 
                 13.0 
                 18.5 
                 16.3 
                 15.4 
               
               
                 (10 −7 /° C.) 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 20.4 
                 19.7 
                 15.5 
                 20.0 
                 18.7 
                 15.5 
                 20.5 
                 17.3 
                 17.7 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.79 
                   
                   
                 0.78 
                   
                   
                 0.78 
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.58 
                   
                   
                 0.60 
                   
                   
                 0.58 
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.57 
                   
                   
                 0.60 
                   
                   
                 0.58 
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 1.6 
                   
                   
                 1.6 
                   
                   
                 1.8 
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 0.9 
                   
                   
                 2.2 
                   
                   
                 2.6 
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0 
                   
                   
                 0 
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 389 
                 198 
                 157 
                 325 
                 207 
                 176 
                 359 
                 204 
                 158 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 1490 
                 853 
                 631 
                 1208 
                 809 
                 685 
                 1350 
                 788 
                 594 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 10540 
                 4434 
                 3718 
                 10107 
                 5015 
                 4335 
                 9808 
                 4835 
                 4003 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.13 
                 3.17 
                 2.70 
                 3.04 
                 3.36 
                 2.62 
                 3.74 
                 2.86 
                 2.37 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.06 
                 3.74 
                 2.99 
                 2.99 
                 3.96 
                 2.88 
                 3.67 
                 3.38 
                 2.58 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.07 
                 3.68 
                 3.66 
                 2.96 
                 3.93 
                 3.39 
                 3.63 
                 3.33 
                 3.04 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.15 
                 3.66 
                 3.94 
                 2.99 
                 3.91 
                 3.61 
                 3.70 
                 3.32 
                 3.21 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 4.22 
                 3.63 
                 4.08 
                 3.02 
                 3.88 
                 3.73 
                 3.74 
                 3.29 
                 3.30 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.983 
                 1.180 
                 1.107 
                 0.984 
                 1.179 
                 1.099 
                 0.981 
                 1.182 
                 1.089 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.985 
                 1.161 
                 1.356 
                 0.974 
                 1.170 
                 1.294 
                 0.971 
                 1.164 
                 1.283 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.094 
                 0.157 
                 0.377 
                 0.070 
                 0.163 
                 0.330 
                 0.066 
                 0.162 
                 0.305 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Properties of comparative examples 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 C4 
                 C5 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 2.0% Feldspar 
               
               
                   
                 1.0% Bentonite 
                 1.0% Bentonite 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                   
                 After 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 75 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 20 
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 65 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 28 
                   
                   
                 50 
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1415 
                   
                   
                 1420 
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 15 
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 300/8.5 
                   
                   
                 239/7.55 
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar (g/cm 3 ) 
                 0.275 
                 0.291 
                 0.294 
                 0.229 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.270 
                 0.246 
                 0.266 
                 0.234 
                 0.234 
                 0.234 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 59.4 
                 52.9 
                 55.9 
                 61.0 
               
               
                 d 1   
                 9.6 
                 1.2 
                 0.0 
                 0.2 
               
               
                 d 2   
                 10.7 
                 2.8 
                 0.0 
                 5.0 
               
               
                 d 5   
                 12.5 
                 6.0 
                 0.0 
                 13.3 
               
               
                 d 10   
                 14.0 
                 9.7 
                 0.0 
                 15.0 
               
               
                 d 25   
                 16.4 
                 14.2 
                 7.8 
                 17.2 
               
               
                 d 50   
                 19.7 
                 17.8 
                 21.2 
                 19.0 
               
               
                 d 75   
                 24.9 
                 23.8 
                 28.6 
                 22.1 
               
               
                 d 90   
                 44.6 
                 57.6 
                 53.5 
                 29.2 
               
               
                 d 95   
                 86.1 
                 139.4 
                 120.2 
                 48.6 
               
               
                 d 98   
                 173.9 
                 248.5 
                 250.5 
                 110.8 
               
               
                 d 99   
                 254.5 
                 298.3 
                 329.4 
                 158.7 
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.29 
                 0.46 
                 1.00 
                 0.21 
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 1.26 
                 2.23 
                 1.53 
                 0.54 
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 1.55 
                 2.69 
                 2.53 
                 0.75 
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 14.9 
                 13.2 
                 10.4 
                 16.6 
                 16.1 
                 15.2 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 18.8 
                 17.3 
                 14.2 
                 21.0 
                 20.7 
                 19.8 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 20.1 
                 18.1 
                 16.6 
                 23.5 
                 23.3 
                 22.6 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.78 
                   
                   
                 0.73 
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.58 
                   
                   
                 0.65 
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.58 
                   
                   
                 0.65 
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 1.4 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 3.0 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 0.0 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 393 
                 207 
                 149 
                 645 
                 735 
                 236 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 1456 
                 841 
                 560 
                 2754 
                 3141 
                 1008 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 12106 
                 4937 
                 3836 
                 25207 
                 28753 
                 9229 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.42 
                 2.86 
                 2.59 
                 2.76 
                 3.73 
                 3.01 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.36 
                 3.31 
                 2.81 
                 2.69 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.29 
                 3.27 
                 3.24 
                 2.62 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.32 
                 3.23 
                 3.44 
                 2.60 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 3.34 
                 3.20 
                 3.55 
                 2.56 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.982 
                 1.157 
                 1.085 
                 0.975 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.962 
                 1.143 
                 1.251 
                 0.949 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.048 
                 0.146 
                 0.298 
                 0.016 
                 — 
                 — 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Example No. 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 C6 
                 C7 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Additives 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 2.0% Feldspar 
                 1.5% SrCO 3   
               
               
                   
                 1.0% Bentonite 
                 2.5% Bentonite 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Condition 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                   
                 After 
                   
                 850° C. 
                 1100° C. 
               
               
                   
                 As-Fired 
                 Coated 
                 800-1100° C. 
                 As-Fired 
                 82 h 
                 2 h 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 800-900 Heating Rate 
                 75 
                   
                   
                 35 
                   
                   
               
               
                 1150-1200 Heating Rate 
                 75 
                   
                   
                 25 
               
               
                 1200-1300 Heating Rate 
                 75 
                   
                   
                 25 
               
               
                 1300-1350 Heating Rate 
                 6 
                   
                   
                 25 
               
               
                 1350-Tmax Heating Rate 
                 6 
                   
                   
                 5 
               
               
                 Tmax (° C.) 
                 1420 
                   
                   
                 1415 
               
               
                 Hold (h) 
                 12 
                   
                   
                 11 
               
               
                 Nominal Cell Geometry 
                 220/7.7 
                   
                   
                 200/9 
               
               
                 Density of Cellular Bar (g/cm 3 ) 
                 0.220 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.291 
                 0.287 
                 0.296 
               
               
                 CFA 
                 0.214 
                 0.214 
                 0.214 
                 0.275 
                 0.271 
                 0.280 
               
               
                 % Porosity 
                 59.0 
                   
                   
                 57.8 
               
               
                 d 1   
                 10.1 
                   
                   
                 5.9 
               
               
                 d 2   
                 11.0 
                   
                   
                 7.3 
               
               
                 d 5   
                 12.6 
                   
                   
                 8.7 
               
               
                 d 10   
                 13.8 
                   
                   
                 9.9 
               
               
                 d 25   
                 15.7 
                   
                   
                 11.8 
               
               
                 d 50   
                 17.4 
                   
                   
                 14.4 
               
               
                 d 75   
                 20.5 
                   
                   
                 17.6 
               
               
                 d 90   
                 29.3 
                   
                   
                 26.4 
               
               
                 d 95   
                 58.1 
                   
                   
                 46.5 
               
               
                 d 98   
                 140.7 
                   
                   
                 114.0 
               
               
                 d 99   
                 196.8 
                   
                   
                 175.0 
               
               
                 d f  = (d 50  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.21 
                   
                   
                 0.31 
               
               
                 d c  = (d 90  − d 50 )/d 50   
                 0.68 
                   
                   
                 0.83 
               
               
                 d b  = (d 90  − d 10 )/d 50   
                 0.89 
                   
                   
                 1.15 
               
               
                 CTE 25-800° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 16.7 
                 16.3 
                 14.7 
                 17.6 
                 17.7 
                 14.7 
               
               
                 CTE 200-1000° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 20.5 
                 20.9 
                 19.0 
                 21.2 
                 21.2 
                 19.3 
               
               
                 CTE 500-900° C.  (10 −7 /° C.) 
                 22.9 
                 23.3 
                 21.6 
                 23.7 
                 23.9 
                 21.6 
               
               
                 Transverse I-ratio 
                 0.76 
                   
                   
                 0.64 
               
               
                 Axial I-ratio 
                 0.61 
                   
                   
                 0.65 
               
               
                 Powder I-Ratio 
                 0.65 
                   
                   
                 0.64 
               
               
                 % Mullite 
                 — 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Spinel + Sapphirine 
                 — 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 % Alumina 
                 — 
                   
                   
                 — 
               
               
                 MOR (psi) 
                 607 
                 630 
                 193 
                 839 
                 826 
                 668 
               
               
                 MOR/CFA (psi) 
                 2841 
                 2948 
                 901 
                 3052 
                 3048 
                 2389 
               
               
                 MOR*/CFA (psi) 
                 23100 
                 23974 
                 7328 
                 23214 
                 23184 
                 18173 
               
               
                 E 25° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 2.98 
                 3.45 
                 2.92 
                 4.71 
                 4.42 
                 4.58 
               
               
                 E 500° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 2.90 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 4.31 
                 4.42 
               
               
                 E 800° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 2.85 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 4.20 
                 4.28 
               
               
                 E 900° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 2.83 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 4.04 
                 4.18 
               
               
                 E 1000° C.  (10 5  psi) 
                 2.80 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 3.46 
                 3.80 
               
               
                 E 500° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.973 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.975 
                 0.965 
               
               
                 E 800° C. /E 25° C.   
                 0.956 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.950 
                 0.934 
               
               
                 Nb 3   
                 0.024 
                 — 
                 — 
                 — 
                 0.019 
                 0.015 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Heating cycle for thermal treatment of washcoated samples 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Starting 
                 Ending 
                 Temperature 
                   
               
               
                 Temperature of 
                 Temperature of 
                 Change with 
                 Total Time of 
               
               
                 Segment (° C.) 
                 Segment (° C.) 
                 Time (° C./h) 
                 Segment (h) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 25 
                 800 
                 100 
                 7.750 
               
               
                 800 
                 900 
                 17 
                 5.882 
               
               
                 900 
                 1000 
                 60 
                 1.667 
               
               
                 1000 
                 1100 
                 200 
                 0.500 
               
               
                 1100 
                 1100 
                 0 
                 0.150 
               
               
                 1100 
                 1000 
                 −200 
                 0.500 
               
               
                 1000 
                 900 
                 −60 
                 1.667 
               
               
                 900 
                 800 
                 −17 
                 5.882 
               
               
                 800 
                 900 
                 17 
                 5.882 
               
               
                 900 
                 1000 
                 60 
                 1.667 
               
               
                 1000 
                 1100 
                 200 
                 0.500 
               
               
                 1100 
                 1100 
                 0 
                 0.150 
               
               
                 1100 
                 1000 
                 −200 
                 0.500 
               
               
                 1000 
                 900 
                 −60 
                 1.667 
               
               
                 900 
                 800 
                 −17 
                 5.882 
               
               
                 800 
                 25 
                 −100 
                 7.750 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Cumulative time above various 
               
               
                 temperatures in heating cycle of Table 12 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Cumulative Time 
               
               
                   
                 Temperature 
                 above 
               
               
                   
                 (° C.) 
                 Temperature (h) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 800 
                 32.50 
               
               
                   
                 850 
                 20.73 
               
               
                   
                 900 
                 8.97 
               
               
                   
                 950 
                 5.63 
               
               
                   
                 1000 
                 2.30 
               
               
                   
                 1050 
                 1.30 
               
               
                   
                 1100 
                 0.30