The effect of β-eucryptite on cordierite ceramic materials prepared using a temperature-induced forming technique

Abstract

The microstructural evolution and sintering behavior of powder compacts composed of β-eucryptite–cordierite with different particle size distributions were prepared by a temperature-induced forming (TIF) technique. Grinding conditions and milling time were varied to obtain coarse or fine cordierite particles before mixing with β-eucryptite. TIF mixes were formed with varying eucryptite and sintering temperatures, and the physical and mechanical properties, microstructure, and thermal expansion of the mixes were examined. Results indicate that CB1350 mixes exhibited high densification and good mechanical properties. The addition of 30%wt. beta eucryptite to the CB1350 mix and sintering at 1300 °C was free of cracks and exhibited good physical and mechanical properties. However, the thermal expansion of this mix was low (−1.31 × 10−6 °C−1) up to 20%wt. β-eucryptite. Thermal shock resistance tests also indicated that the composite resisted crack propagation over 25 cycles.