Preparation and Characterization of Mullite Microcrystalline Ceramics from Panxi Iron Red Mud

Abstract

This is an essay in the field of ceramics and composites. The microcrystalline ceramics were prepared by a one-step sintering method with kaolin and ferric red mud from Panzhihua, adding potassium feldspar as flux. The microcrystalline ceramics samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, Rockwell hardness tester, universal testing machine, electron microscope, thermogravimetric and thermal differential tests. The results show that: When kaolin content is 27%, potassium feldspar content is 25%, red mud content is 55%, sintering temperature is 1250 ℃, holding for 90 min, At this time, the water absorption rate of microcrystalline ceramics is 0.08%, the apparent porosity is 0.15%, the Rockwell hardness is 78.48 HRA, the bending strength is 51 MPa, the main crystal phase is mullite, the grain diameter is less than 6 μm, the grain content can reach 61.35%. The microcrystalline ceramics prepared by this process are dark red, smooth and bright in appearance, and have a warm and moist feeling of jade quality.

Keywords

• ceramics and composites
• one-step sintering method
• microcrystalline ceramics
• mullite
• performance study
• grain size