Abstract
In this work, a simple milling sintering route (pressure less) to process dense zircon ceramics from fine (D50 0.8 ?m) zircon powders is explored. Particularly, the milling time effect (0-120 min) and the maximum sintering temperature (1400-1600?C) were studied. The sintering grade developed microstructure and Vickers hardness (Hv) were evaluated and correlated. The dissociation of silicate into (monoclinic and tetragonal) zirconia and silica was evaluated by X-ray diffraction followed by the Rietveld method; it was found to be below 10 wt% in all the studied ranges. The sintering was enhanced by the milling pretreatment. No sintering additives were incorporated. Dense zircon (porosity below 1%) ceramics were obtained by a simple milling-sintering route of this high refractory powder at 100-200?C below the sintering temperature used with conventional processing routes to obtain equivalent final properties. The Vickers hardness reached: 9.0 GPa.
Highlights
Zircon (ZrSiO4) refractory materials have a wide range of high temperature and nuclear applications
It is well known that high refractoriness of zircon ceramics up to high temperatures with attractive properties such as low thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, chemical stability, and corrosion resistance
We reported the effect of colloidal processing optimization by slip casting of highly concentrated aqueous dispersions on the sintering of dense zircon ceramics [30]
Summary
Zircon (ZrSiO4) refractory materials have a wide range of high temperature and nuclear applications. Zircon materials are employed mainly due to their adequate refractoriness, mechanical strength and chemical durability with high-temperature resistance. It is well known that high refractoriness of zircon ceramics up to high temperatures with attractive properties such as low thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, chemical stability, and corrosion resistance. These materials have a moderate resistance to sudden temperature gradients, for example, thermal shock [10,11,12,13,14,15,16]
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