Search

Calcium hexaluminate (CA6) was incorporated into the matrix of magnesio aluminate spinel-alumina (MA-A) via infiltration of a porous preform fabricated from α-Al2O3 and MgO powders with a saturated calcium acetate solution and subsequent firing, forming CA6/(MA-A) functionally composites with graded fracture toughness. Actually, the porous preform was partially and perpendicularly immersed (1/4 of its length) in the solution. Owing to the capillary action, the calcium acetate solution was absorbed into the porous preform, and the different absorption distance led to the graded solution concentration in the height direction of the porous preform. The in-situ formation of CA6 conferred graded microstructures, as well as improved mechanical properties on the resultant composites. The CA6 content decreased gradually along the solution absorption direction, i.e., from one end [CA6/(MA-A) region] immersed in solution to the other end [MA-A region], reducing evidently the formation of layered structure along the direction, while increasing gradually the formation of spherical alumina particles. The CA6/(MA-A) region had a better toughness that could prevent the crack propagation and improve the spalling resistance. Meanwhile, the MA-A region could provide structural support, because of the higher Vickers hardness and density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solid wastes fly ash and aluminum dross were used to prepare the low cost, high added-value product spinel-corundum-Sialon with an in situ aluminothermic reduction-nitridation reaction. The effects of varying raw material components and heating temperatures on the phase compositions, microstructure, bulk density, apparent porosity, and bending strength of products were investigated. The presence of hazardous or impure elements in the products was also evaluated. The sintered materials mainly consisted ofmicro-/nanosized plate corundum, octahedral spinel, and hexagonal columnar ß-Sialon. The bulk density and bending strength of product samples initially increased and then decreased as Al content increased. Product samples with an Al content exceeding 10 mass% that were sintered at 1450°C exhibited the highest bending strength (288 MPa), the lowest apparent porosity (1.24%), and extremely low linear shrinkage (0.67%). The main impurity present was Fe5Si3 withhazardous elements P, Cr, Mn, and Ni doping. This work could provide a new method to reduce environmental pollution and manufacture low cost high performance refractory materials using the abundant waste materials fly ash and aluminum dross. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]