Synthesis and characterization of reinforced bone china using Ulan feldspar as raw materials

Abstract

Ulan feldspar (WF) with different contents up to 30 wt% was studied as bone china raw materials, entirely or partially replacing K-feldspar (KF) at sintering temperatures of 1180–1250 °C. The micromorphology, distribution of elements and phase composition of the bone china were investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Furthermore, the physical and thermal properties, as well as the mechanical performance of bone china were studied. The results show that anorthite (A), β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) and quartz (Q) are the main crystalline phases of the bone china. With the increase of WF content, the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and sintering temperature of bone china are decreased, while the thermal shock resistance (TSR) and mechanical strength are increased. TEC is reduced from 7.6342 × 10−6 °C−1 to 7.2035 × 10−6 °C−1, while the bulk density, flexural strength, fracture toughness and TSR are increased from 2.554 g/cm3, 112.3 MPa, 2.01 MPa m1/2 and 150 °C to 2.625 g/cm3, 145.6 MPa, 2.27 MPa m1/2 and 190 °C, respectively. The above research provides a new ceramic raw material for reinforced bone china.