Effect of feldspar milling on the properties of low-density ceramic proppants

Abstract

ABSTRACT Low-density and high-strength ceramic proppants were successfully prepared from bauxite and feldspar. The addition of feldspar greatly reduced the sintering temperature (below 1300℃). The effects of the particle size of feldspar on the bulk density, apparent density and breakage ratio of the proppants were evaluated. The morphology and phase composition of the proppants was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the ball milling of feldspar can greatly improve the properties of ceramic proppants. The phases of the proppants obtained contain mullite and corundum. Bulk density, apparent density, and breakage resistance of the proppants sintered at 1280℃ increase with the prolongation of ball milling time of feldspar. When the feldspar are milled for 6 h, bulk density of the proppants is 1.46 g/cm3, apparent density is 2.70 g/cm3 and breakage ratio under 52 MPa closed pressure is 7.97%.