Articles
  • A novel processing route for whisker shaped mullite-alumina composites from kaolin
  • Yong-Ki Choa, Byung-Moon Kima, Seog-Young Yoona, Ron Stevensb and Hong-Chae Parka,*
  • a School of Materials Science and Engineering, Pusan National University, Pusan 609-735, South Korea b Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
Abstract
Whisker shaped mullite/particulate alumina composites prepared by a two-step in situ processing route have been characterized in terms of their microstructure and mechanical properties. Well-developed mullite whiskers were firstly formed at 1300 oC for 15 h and subsequently sintered at higher temperatures (≤ 1650 oC). A liquid phase was formed by the reaction of SiO2 and Al2O3, aided by the presence of Na2O and P2O5; these additions improved the formation and growth of mullite whiskers. The mechanical properties of the sintered materials appeared to be mainly governed by the grain size of the major phase, the presence of voids, and an intergranular glass.

Keywords: Whisker shaped mullite/particulate alumina composites, In situ processing, Kaolin, Foaming agent.

This Article

  • 2008; 9(6): 652-656

    Published on Dec 31, 2008

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