| Summary: | This paper describes the fabrication of kaolinite (Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-2SiO<sub>2</sub>-2H<sub>2</sub>O) spherical bulbs by slip casting. The bisque-fired parts present a porosity of about 30% with submicron porosity confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, plate-like grains with channels were observed. After nickel infiltration of the specimens, nanosized Ni particles covered the surfaces of the channels of these grains. Permeation tests in 5% H<sub>2</sub> at 400 and 600 °C resulted in fluxes between 0.05 and 0.06 mol·m<sup>−2</sup>·s<sup>−1</sup> at a pressure gradient of 200 MPa·m<sup>−1</sup>. Potential applications of these specimens include supports for hydrocarbon (namely ethanol) steam reforming.
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