Ceramics-Silikáty 56 (3) 215-221 (2012)

RELATION BETWEEN PARTICLES SIZE OF RAW MATERIALS AND PROPERTIES OF MULLITE–ZrO₂ COMPOSITES PREPARED BY REACTION-SINTERING

M. Rahmani, K. Jangorban, S. Otroj

In this investigation, the mullite–zirconia composites were prepared by reaction-sintering of alumina and zircon powder. Besides, the slip casting method was employed for fabrication of these composites and different times of milling process were used for reducing the particles size of raw materials. Then, the effect of raw materials particles size on the properties of these composites was investigated. The physical properties, fracture toughness, flexural strength, phase composition and microstructure of these composites after firing at 1600°C were studied. The results showed that the milling time and then, particles size of raw materials have a great effect on the phase composition and properties of mullite–zirconia composites. The formation of tetragonal-zirconia is favored by reducing of particle size which, leads to increasing of the fracture toughness and flexural strength of these composites.

Keywords: Particle size, Milling, Composite, Mullite-zirconia, Fracture toughness