Abstract
According to the wide applications in the field of chemical and engineering industries, forsterite (Mg2SiO4)/spinel (MgAl2O4) ceramic compositions were the matter of interest of several research works during the last three decades. This work aims at preparation and characterization of improved ceramic bodies based on forsterite and spinel nano powders through controlling the forsterite and spinel contents in the prepared mixes. These prepared ceramic compositions have been investigated through measuring the densification parameters, cold crushing strength as well as volume resistively. Nano spinel was added from 0 to 30 mass% on expense of nano forsterite matrix and fired at 1550 °C for 2 h. The phase composition of the fired samples was examined using x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The microstructure of some selected samples was shown using scanning electron microscope (SEM). A pronounced improvement in the sintering, mechanical properties and volume resistively were achieved with increasing of nano spinel addition up to 15 mass%. This is due to the improvement in the matrix of the prepared forsterite/spinel bodies as a result of well distribution of spinel in the forsterite matrix as depicted by SEM analysis.
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•Ceramic compositions based on nano forsterite/nano-MgAl2O4 spinel were synthesized.•CCS was improved (333.78 MPa) through 15 mass% of nano-MgAl2O4 spinel addition.•Volume resistivity was enhanced to 203*1013 Ohm cm with 15 mass% of spinel addition.•Beyond 15 mass% spinel, CCS and volume resistivity were decreased.