| abstract |
A method of manufacturing a porous ceramic honeycomb article is disclosed. The method includes mixing a batch of inorganic components with a processing aid to form a plasticized batch. Batches of inorganic components are talc with d pt50 ≦ 10 μm, silica forming source with d ps50 ≦ 20 μm, alumina forming source with median particle diameter d pa50 of 10.0 μm or less, and pore formation with d pp50 ≦ 20 μm Contains agents. Plasticized batch is molded into a honeycomb article unfired include cordierite crystal phase, to form a porous ceramic honeycomb article having from about 0.05 to about 0.25 microcrack parameter of (Nb 3). After firing, the porous ceramic honeycomb article is exposed to microcrack conditions that increase the microcrack parameter (Nb 3 ) by at least 20%. |