Glass-ceramic materials can be produced by the addition of LiO2 to fly ashes disposible in Southern Brazil. These glass-ceramics are based on the Al2O3-SiO2-Li 2O system. The high viscosity of the obtained glasses, however, makes forming useful articles with these materials difficult. In this study we investigate the effect of adding low cost Na2CO3 on the melt viscosity and on the nature of the developed crystalline phases. It was intended that the ultimate crystalline phase (LiAlSi3O8) should not be altered. With additions up to 3 wt. % Na2CO3, the viscosity was apparently lowered and no new crystalline phase were detected.

Enamel suspensions were characterized according to their rheological behavior. The suspensions presented a pseudoplastic behavior, yield stress and thixotropy, with or without the presence of deffloculant. Added carboxymethylcellulose increases the apparent viscosity of enamel suspensions and interacts complexly with the deffloculant, here sodium silicate. Addition of crystalline particles of two types of alumina, used to improve the wear resistance of ceramic glazes, also change strongly the rheological behavior of the suspensions. Added high specific area, irregular alumina particles produce a higher increase of the apparent viscosity of enamel suspensions compared to rounded ones.