Effect of microsilica content on microstructure and properties of foamed ceramics with needle-like mullite

In this study, five foamed ceramics with struts containing needle-like mullite were prepared by direct-foaming method using white clay, industrial alumina and microsilica powder as raw materials. The effects of microsilica content on the phase compositions, microstructures and properties of foamed ceramics were investigated. The results showed that the adding of microsilica decreased the average pore size and apparent porosity and increased the compressive strength and thermal conductivity of the foamed ceramics by affecting the properties of foamed slurry and reaction sintering process. The foamed ceramics with 10 wt.% microsilica content showed the best properties with high porosity of 75.8%, positive reheating linear change, compressive strength of 1.44MPa and low thermal conductivity of 0.219W/(m?K) (at 350?C).

Potential of a Nigerian biotite-rich kaolinite ore to industrial alumina by hydrometallurgical process

Increasing demands for aluminium and aluminium oxide with diverse industrial applications have prompted the development of a low-cost and eco-friendly technique as a substitute for conventional ore treatments by reduction-roasting route, requiring high energy consumption. For example, the demand for high-grade industrial alumina (Al2O3) as valuable materials in refractories, pigments, adsorbents, catalysis, water purification, aluminium production and metallurgical applications cannot be over emphasized. Thus, the upgrading of a Nigerian biotite-rich kaolinite ore containing admixture of kaolinite (Al2.00Si2.00O9.00: 96-900-9231), biotite (Mg6.55Fe3.46Al5.29Ti1.34Si11.36K4.00O48.00: 96-900-0844) and quartz (Si3.00O6.00: 96-900-9667) impurities by hydrometallurgical route was investigated in phosphoric acid media. During leaching, parameters such as leachant concentration, particle size and reaction temperature on the extent of ore dissolution were accordingly examined. At optimal leaching conditions (2.0 mol/L H3PO4, 75 °C), 87.0% of the initial 10 g/L ore reacted within 120 min. The activation energy of 16.6 kJ/mol supported the diffusion control reaction mechanism. The unreacted product (∼13.0%) analyzed by XRD was found to contain siliceous impurities including iron silicate and manganese silicate which could serve as valuable by-products for some defined industries. The leach liquor at optimal leaching conditions was accordingly treated to obtain pure aluminium solution which was further beneficiated to obtain high-grade alumina (α-Al2O3) of industrial value with 96.3% purity.

Effect of Mineral Composition and Sintering Temperature on the Synthetic Cordierite

Cordierite samples were prepared using quartz sand tailings, industrial alumina and magnesite tailings as raw materials by high-temperature reaction. The influence of mineral composition and sintering temperature on the final phase composition and physical properties of cordierite were studied. The results shown that a large number of cordierite generated at 1300 °C. When the ratio of Al2O3/SiO2 equals to 1.08, the flexural strength of samples increased to 27.66 MPa.

The Effects of Mineral Composition and Sintering Temperature on Synthetic Mullite

Mullite material was prepared from quartz (SiO2) and industrial alumina (γ-Al2O3). The effects of mineral composition and sintering temperature on the final phase composition and physical properties of mullite were investigated. The results shown that a large number of mullite phase was emerged in samples when the ratio of alumina to silica (A/S) was 2.55. At 1500 oC and 1600 oC, the flexural strength of the samples reached to 87.13 MPa and 89.50 MPa, respectively. Consider the environmental protection and energy saving, the optimal sintering temperature was 1500 °C.