The Separation of Mixed Fine Powders by Electrophoresis.

A sub-micron powder of either alumina or zirconia was separated by electrophoresis. A mixed suspension of these powders was prepared in a powder concentration of 150-200ppm at pH 5.0, where both alumina and zirconia had enough positive zeta potential to prevent from their heterocoagulation. A uniform and stable ascent flow of electrolytic solution at pH 7.4 was made, where the difference of zeta potential between alumina and zirconia was about the maximum. The ascent flow carried a fine stream of the suspension with a diameter of less than 1mm. Applying an electric field of 10V/cm perpendicular to the flow, the fine stream of suspension was divided into two fine streams. The concentration of different kind particles in each separated suspension was reduced to 1/10 of that in original mixed suspension.