Effect of Sheet Nanocarbon on Properties of Low Carbon Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-C Refractories

Abstract

Sheet nanocarbon-Al2O3 composite powders were produced by vibratory milling using expanded graphite and Al2O3 powders as raw materials. The effect of different vibratory milling time on phase compositions and microstructure of the composite powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). Then sheet nanocarbon-Al2O3 composite powders were used as additives to produce low carbon Al2O3-C refractories which had a carbon content of 6%. The results showed that about 50nm thickness sheet nanocarbon and Al2O3 composite powders were produced via 15h milling with expanded graphite to Al2O3 powders weight ratio of 1:2. With the increasing of milling time, the (002) diffraction peaks of graphite wear off gradually and nanosheet was desquamated from expanded graphite; It is beneficial to improve the bulk density, cold modulus of rupture (CMOR) and thermal shock resistance of Al2O3-C refractories when adding certain sheet nanocarbon-Al2O3 composite powders. The sample containing 0.5% sheet nanocarbon had a CMOR of 18.51MPa after 1000 °C heat processing in N2 atmosphere, while sample without adding any sheet nanocarbon was only 12.35MPa; The residual cold modulus of rupture (CMORTS) of sample containing 1% sheet nanocarbon was 4.22MPa after thermal shock test, while that of sample without nanocarbon was only 2.18MPa.