Examination of patterns in obtaining porous structures from submicron aluminum oxide powder and its mixtures

Abstract

This paper proposes an economical thermal cycle of the production of ceramic articles from submicronic powders of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, and manganese oxide. The implementation of a given cycle involves the introduction of a special aluminophosphate bond into the charge in order to reduce the temperature of firing. The optimal composition of the material for a foam-ceramic filter with the highest physical and mechanical properties has been determined; the optimal method for preparing the original charge and the baking mode have been selected. According to the results of tests under industrial conditions, the manufactured alumina filters became a decent alternative to known analogs used in aluminum metallurgy for the purification of liquid metal. The application and rational dosage of titanium dioxides, manganese, and aluminum aluminophosphate in porous ceramic compositions on an alumina base have made it possible to significantly reduce the time and, consequently, improve the productivity, of firing. The results obtained were evaluated by the level of maximum temperature in the cycle of heat treatment according to known technologies. Compared to those technologies, the developed technology ensures the growth of firing productivity when implementing the proposed solution by about 220 %. It was found that the high true density of ceramic powder requires large dispersion as the relatively large powder particles are significantly worse retained in foam films and settle. At medium (intermediate) temperatures, a large weight loss occurs at a heating rate of 10 °C/h. In this case, the decomposition progress changes in proportion to the heating speed. Changing the heating speed with temperature is the most effective technique for deparaffinization in the air. The heating time from the ambient temperature to 200 °C significantly decreases. At a certain temperature, prior to the thermal decomposition, the bond would transfer from a strongly viscous state to a liquid state