Alumina and zinc aluminate have been synthesized by different dicarboxylates such as succinate, glutarate, fumarate and adipate. These powders have been characterized with respect to structural analysis (XRD), morphology (SEM), particle size distribution and BET specific surface area. The alumina and zinc aluminate obtained from the adipate precursor have been found to be good for slip-casting. Suspensions of these oxides with different solid content have been prepared at different pH with distilled water and ethanol as dispersing agent, with and without a deflocculant. The theological behavior of the suspension has been determined. The slip, green and sedimentation bulk density has been measured. The minimum viscosities were observed at pH= 2.5 and 10.5 for the Al2O3-water and pH= 2.4 and 8.5 for the ZnAl2O4-water system. The slip, green and sedimentation bulk density have been measured. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.