Effects and Mechanisms of Binders on the Properities of Magnesium Oxide Pellets

The physical characteristics of MgO pellets prepared with different amounts of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose binder or polyvinyl alcohol binder were studied by the compression strength test, drop test, and porosity test. The strength of the pellets increased, while the pellet porosity decreased, with higher binder content. Phase composition, microstructure, and thermal stability of the MgO pellets were investigated using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microcopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The binding mechanism of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in the MgO pellets was investigated by infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.