A low-cost porous ceramic support was prepared from low-grade palygorskite clay (LPGS) and silicon carbide (SiC) with vanadium pentoxide (V

2

O

5

) additives by a dry-press forming method and sintering. The effects of SiC-LPGS ratio

pressing pressure

carbon powder pore-forming agent and V

2

O

5

sintering additives on the microstructure and performance of the supports were investigated. The addition of an appropriate amount of SiC to the LPGS can prevent excessive shrinkage of the support during sintering

and increase the mechanical strength and open porosity of the supports. The presence of SiC (34.4%) led to increases in the open porosity and mechanical strength of 40.43% ± 0.21% and (17.76 ± 0.51) MPa

respectively

after sintering at 700 ℃ for 3 h. Because of its low melting point

V

2

O

5

can melt to liquid during sintering

which increases the mechanical strength of the supports and retains the porosity. Certainly

this can also encourage efficient use of the LPGS and avoid wasting resources.