Elaboration and Characterization of Mullite Refractory Products from Moroccan Andalusite
Enrichment of schist mined in Morocco resulted in an extract essentially made of andalusite, quartz and muscovite, which was investigated with the aim to synthesize mullite refractory materials. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to assess phase transformations upon heating at different temperatures. Mullite formation starts as early as 1200℃ and seems almost total at 1450℃. This process correlates with a weak shrinkage (3.5% at 1450℃) and the formation of an important glass phase. Green compacts obtained by unidirectional pressing the extract powder were heated under air in the temperature range 1200℃ - 1600℃. Chemical and mechanical properties of these materials were investigated and correlated with their microstructure.
Manufacture of oxyacetylene thermally sprayed coatings on refractory substrates from unconventional feedstock material •
A chromite mineral and two industrial residues produced in the petrochemical and thermoelectric industries, were selected, characterized, processed and deposited on refractory bricks. By means of X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction the chemical composition and crystallographic phases of raw materials were analyzed, morphology and particle size was determinate using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The materials were deposit by oxyacetylene thermal spray on silica-alumina refractory bricks and high alumina low cement concrete, commercial references ER-40 and CBC-50 from ERECOS S.A.S.. The parameters used for the coating deposition were optimized based on preliminary test and simulations using the Jets&powders software. The chromite mineral coating displayed greater structure homogeneity than the other two coatings; the last ones presented partially melted particles and high porosity. However, based on the chemical composition, the response to adhesion test and the crystallographic phases present in the coatings, all of them are potential candidates to be used as protective barriers against corrosive effects on refractories.
Effect of chemical composition on sintering and properties of Al2O3–SiO2 system derived from sillimanite beach sand
Abstract Reaction sintering of beach sand sillimanite and alumina is an innovative as well as inexpensive method of mullite formation. Beach sand sillimanite, a by-product generated during the separation of rare earth compounds, and calcined alumina were used as starting materials and were mixed in appropriate proportion and sintered in compacted form at 1500–1575°C. The study reveals that the use of submicron size powder enhances the sintering process. In this investigation, effect of chemical composition on sintering and mechanical/thermomechanical properties has been studied. It was found that the densification process is dependent on the Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ratio. Silica rich composition achieves highest density at 1525°C whereas the alumina rich composition requires 1550°C. Flexural strength measured at room temperature and at 1200°C initially de-creases with alumina content, with a minima at 71–74% Al 2 O 3 and then increases again. Microstructure of the sintered is also dependent on the Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 ratio of the batch. Mullite made from silica rich composition is needle shape in nature whereas in alumina rich composition they are non-acicular in nature.