Microstructure of dense MgO penetrated by a silicate liquid
Grain boundaries control most of the critical properties of ceramic materials and devices. The presence of an intergranular amorphous phase in many polycrystalline ceramic compacts has been reported. Grain boundaries may also involve regions of ordered structure and amorphous (glassy) phase. Dense polycrystalline compacts are processed by liquid-phase sintering routes. The addition of sintering aids such as CaO, MgO and SiO2 influence the densification process substantially. During sintering the grain boundaries are wet by liquid phases, and amorphous films are often found at the grain boundaries and triple junctions in the sintered product. The presence of such films not only influences the sintering behavior but it also affects the final properties in the sintered product. These films have therefore been the subject of intense investigation. Silicate-based compositions are the typical glass phases observed in these materials.In the present study, polycrystalline, dense MgO cubes have been penetrated by liquid monlicellite (CaMgSiO4) at 1700°C.