A Study on Structure and Phase Composition of Cellular Ceramic Materials from Dispersed Silica-Rich Rocks

Abstract

Studies on structure, phase composition and properties of ceramic wall materials with a glass-crystalline framework from dispersed silica-rich rocks are described. The results of chemical, mineralogical and granulometric compositions of tripolite and granulated foam-glass crystalline material (GFGCM) are presented. The dependence of physical and mechanical properties of cellular ceramic materials on GFGCM content in the composition in the amount from 5 to 75% is determined. Test samples of cellular ceramic materials with dimensions 250 × 120 × 65 mm, having a compressive strength 16.2-20.8 MPa, water absorption 7.1-7.9 % and an average density 0.99-1.32 g/m3 were produced at the factory. At the macroscale level the cellular structure of the ceramic material consists of closed pores with a vitrified inner surface pore, glass-crystalline outer shell of the pores and solid phase of the framework walls. It was established that after firing in the temperature range 850-900 °C the walls of the framework are represented by quartz, feldspar and hematite, a pronounced halo is indicating a significant amount of glass phase.