<p>Porous ceramic honeycomb articles for use as particulate filters and processes for making the same are described herein. The porous ceramic honeycomb articles include a fired cordierite body. The fired cordierite body has a microcrack parameter (Nb3) of about 0.05 to about 0.25 prior to exposure to a microcracking condition. After exposure to the microcracking condition, the fired cordierite body has a microcrack parameter (Nb3) at least 20% greater than the microcrack parameter prior to exposure to the microcracking condition. The fired cordierite body has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of about 7.0x10-7/°C to about 15.0x10-7/°C over from about 25°C to about 800°C prior to exposure to the microcracking condition and a coefficient of thermal expansion of about 1.0x10-7/°C to about 10.0x10-7/°C over from about 25°C to about 800°C after exposure to the microcracking condition. The microcrack parameter may include a thermal cycle or a chemical treatment.</p>
