Reaction-Forming of Mullite Ceramics Using an Aqueous Milling Medium |
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| Authors: | Suxing Wu Helen M Chan Martin P Harmer |
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| Affiliation: | Materials Research Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015 |
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| Abstract: | Mullite and mullite/ZrO2 ceramics were fabricated starting from Si/Al2O3 and Si/Al2O3/ZrO2 powder mixtures, which were mixed and attrition milled with TZP balls in water. Isopressed powder compacts were subjected to a heat treatment in air, during which the Si was oxidized to SiO2. At } 1410°C, reaction between Al2O3 and SiO2 occurred, resulting in mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2). Depending on the composition of the starting powders, the end product was either single-phase mullite or a mullite composite. The reaction process was monitored by thermogravimetry and dilatometry. It was found that the microstructure and mechanical properties of the reaction-formed mullite ceramics were significantly improved by ZrO2 additions. |
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