Elaboration of ultrafine mullite powder and strong advanced ceramics from sol-gel method

Abstract

The physical-chemical aspects of powders production in the system of Al2O3 - SiO2 - MeO using the sol-gel method have been studied. The processes of crystallization, sinterihng, and microstructure of mullite powder and mullite-based ceramics depend on the homogeneity of initial compositions. The dense mullite ceramics with the bend strength of 300 MPa has been obtained from the powder with the grain size of 185 A, characterized by the lowest crystallinity degree. The powders with high degree of crystallinity can be used for as catalyst carriers or gas absorbers for porous mullite ceramics.