Electrostatic atomization of a ceramic suspension at pico-flow rates

An alumina suspension containing 21 vol. % solids was made to flow through a needle at rates between 10(-12)-10(-11) m(3) s(-1) and was subjected to electrostatic atomization at different applied voltages in the range 5-13 kV. The resulting modes of atomization were studied. The stable cone-jet mode was first obtained at 7 kV and 2.2 x 10(-12) m(3) s(-1) and the effect of increasing flow rate and applied voltage on the jet diameter was investigated. Using a pointed ground electrode the alumina droplets produced by the jet in the stable cone-jet mode were printed according to a pre-determined architecture. Alumina relic diameters in the print were < 35 mu m.