Molten Salt Synthesis of Forsterite Heat Insulation Material

Abstract

The forsterite thermal insulation materials were prepared by the molten salt method and using natural forsterite and NaCl-Na2CO3 molten salt as raw materials. The influences of different mass ratios and reaction temperatures on thermal insulation materials were investigated. Apparent porosity, bulk density and compressive strength of the samples were characterized. And the pore size distribution and microstructure were analyzed by mercury injection apparatus and scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that when the sample was sintered at 1100 °C, and the content of molten salt was 40 wt%, the forsterite thermal insulation materials were better with high apparent porosity and certain compressive strength. The distribution of the pore size was very uniform. Molten NaCl provided liquid environment promoted the sintered of forsterite, the pore was received after the NaCl was removed and the decomposition of Na2CO3.