Mechanical behavior and ultrasonic non-destructive characterization of elastic properties of cordierite-based ceramics

Abstract: The structural and morphological evolutions of cordierite-based ceramics produced from stevensite/andalusite mixture sintered from 1150 to 1350°C were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical behavior was investigated by three-point bending and Brazilian tests. The elastic properties were evaluated using ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT). XRD results revealed that the main crystalline phase formed at 1300 and 1350°C was cordierite with traces of mullite. A linear-elastic behavior followed by brittle fracture was observed in three-point bending test with the presence of multiple discontinuities. Flexural and diametral compression strength values of cordierite sintered at 1300°C were 39.4±4 and 21.8±2MPa, respectively. The elastic properties such as Young''s modulus (38.7–45.1GPa), shear modulus (17.90–19.42GPa) and Poisson ratio (0.08–1.6) of cordierite-based ceramics produced at 1350 and 1300°C were also determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]