A ceramic slip is a suspension of ceramic particles in water.
For slip casting and other ceramic processes, the slip should have good flowability.
If particles come together and form lumps, the slip becomes thick and difficult to cast.
A deflocculent is added to disperse the particles.
It reduces particle attraction and improves flow at lower water content.
Sodium silicate is a common deflocculent used in ceramic slips.
It helps the clay particles remain separated and suspended.
This improves casting behavior and reduces viscosity.
Limestone and dolomite are ceramic raw materials, not common deflocculents.
Sodium nitrate is not the standard deflocculent used for ceramic slip.
Therefore, the deflocculent used in slip is:
\[
\text{Sodium silicate}.
\]