Effects of CeO2-Rich Mixed Rare Earth on the Mechanical Properties of Al2O3-Mullite Based Foam Ceramics
Using corundum, quartz, kaoline, etc, as base components and CeO2-rich mixed rare earth as modifier, foam ceramics were fabricated adopting the organic foam impregnation process. The mixed rare earth addition had much improving effects on the matrix mechanical properties owing to much glass phase and acerate mullite growing. While 3wt% was considered to be the optimal addition, in this case, homogeneous and compact ceramic microstructure with maximal glass condensation and minimal porosity formed, with the matrix compressive strength and the flexural strength at room temperature reached 0.87MPa and 0.66MPa respectively, which were 52.6% and 73.7% higher than the original samples respectively. As the mixed rare earth addition exceeded further, the compressive strength increased slowly and the flexural strength descended gradually. XRD and SEM were used to structure strengthening mechanism analysis.