Influence of Nano-ZnO on Crystallization Behavior and Sintering Performance of Fused Quartz Ceramic Materials

Abstract

Fused quartz granule (d50=0.019 mm) was used as raw material, nano-ZnO (size<0.08 μm) was used as additive with dosages of 1% (in mass, similarly hereinafter), 2% and 3%. Fused quartz ceramic materials were fabricated in reduction atmosphere at 1300 °C, 1350 °C and 1400 °C for 1 h. Properties of samples were researched by measurements of apparent porosity, bending strength and thermal expansion rate, and analyzed by XRD and SEM. The results showed that additive nano-ZnO had excellent inhibiting effect on crystallization of fused quartz sintered at 1300 °C and 1350 °C. As dosages of nano-ZnO increased, thermal expansion rate, diffraction peak intensity and bending strength were improved, and microstructure of the samples became more compact. It can be deduced that for fused quartz ceramic materials, with add dosage of nano-ZnO increasing, the inhibiting effect on crystallization decline, but the facilitating effect on sintering enhance.