Tubular La _0.7 Ca _0.3 Fe _0.85 Co _0.15 O _3–δ Perovskite Membranes, Part I: Preparation and Properties

Dense tubular self‐supporting La _0.7 Ca _0.3 Fe _0.85 Co _0.15 O _3−δ perovskite membranes were prepared by thermoplastic extrusion. The rheological behavior of the ceramic mixture was studied. Non‐deformed tubes of 10 and 5 mm diameter and 0.3–0.8 mm wall thickness could be extruded. After sintering at 1100°C, the membranes reached a relative density of over 98% with an average grain size of 0.25 μm. Flexural strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness of sintered perovskite ceramics were determined on test bars prepared by injection molding from a thermoplastic mixture identical to that used for extrusion. The room‐temperature flexural strength reached 215 MPa in four‐point bending, and the fracture toughness was 1.6 MPa·m ^0.5 .