Mechanical properties of dense cordierite discs sintered by solar radiation heating

Abstract

Consolidation of cordierite disc specimens was undertaken under concentrated solar beam in a solar furnace at PSA (Plataforma Solar de Almería). Satisfactory extent of densification was achieved by the present solar-sintering experiment. The mechanical properties measured for the solar-sintered cordierite test pieces were; density p = 2.45 ± 0.02 g/cm3, Vickers microhardness HV = 7.31 ± 0.29 GPa, Young's modulus E = 97 ± 5 GPa, shear modulus G = 38 ± 2 GPa, Poisson ratio v = 0.27 ± 0.01, fracture toughness Kic = 1.50 ± 0.15 MPam1/2 and modulus of rupture evaluated by ring-on-ring test MOR/Ror =57.8± 13.7 MPa which were comparable to those of the counterparts sintered by conventional industrial gas furnace.© 2009 The Japan Institute of Metals.