Preparation of cordierite ceramics from talc with boron oxide addition

Abstract

Thermal reactions of impure materials of talc, silica and alumina with moderate particle sizes were investigated to obtain a dense cordierite ceramic by boron oxide addition as a sintering aid. Mixed powders were uniaxially pressed and fired at temperatures varying from 1100 to 1350°C for one hour soaking. The phase development in fired pellets was examined by XRD, which indicated that boron oxide addition significantly affected the cordierite formation. Although boron addition gave single cordierite phase at 1350°C, no single cordierite phase ceramic could be obtained from boron free specimens at the same sintering temperature. Sintering temperature to obtain dense cordierite ceramics will decrease with incorporation of boron oxide.