Sol - gel method for producing of glass binding in the Li2O - Al2O3 - SiO2 system for ceramic materials

The results of glass binding obtaining in the Li2O — Al2O3 — SiO2 system for ceramic materials are presented in the article. The lithium aluminum silicate system was chosen taking into account the low temperature expansion coefficients of crystalline phases that form in it. This will allow controlling the thermal expansion of materials into which the glass binding will be introduced. A sol - gel method based on ethyl silicate and soluble salts of the corresponding oxides is proposed as a method for producing of glass binding. This method is more rational in comparison with the traditional method of glass melting due to low energy costs. Also, the method allows to obtain a more uniform and active product. The effect of glass binding on the properties of ceramic materials for various purposes has been investigated. As such materials, low-temperature electrotechnical porcelain, quartz ceramics, and engobe coatings were chosen. The glass binding was introduced into the raw material charge of these materials in an amount of 5 wt. %. Further, the properties of calcined product without additives and with additives under the same conditions were compared. The intense fluxing effect of glass binding during the formation of electrical porcelain has been established. The glass binding reinforces the effect of natural fluxes (pegmatites) that are present in the basic composition of the mass. This contributes to the material compaction during firing. The formation of eucryptite and spodumene helps to reduce the thermal expansion of material. The introduction of glass binding into the engobe led to a less intense compaction of its structure. This was observed due to an insufficient amount of the added glass binding for this type of material. In the composition of quartz ceramics, glass binding contributed to the material sintering, but the thermal properties were deteriorated. Thus, the sintering results of ceramic material with the introduction of glass binding in the charge composition are positive. However, sintering significantly depends on the material type. The glass binding stimulates the formation of a melt in which solid finely dispersed components of the ceramic mass dissolve. This contributes to the formation of a dense durable ceramic.