Influence of Bi 2 O 3 on sintering and crystallization of cordierite ceramics

Abstract

The influence of Bi 2 O 3 on the process of cordierite ceramics preparation, 2MgO-2Al 2 O 3 -5SiO 2 (MAS) was investigated. The following binary systems were used for the presented research: MgO/Bi 2 O 3 (sintered at 820°C and 1100°C), Al 2 O 3 /Bi 2 O 3 and SiO 2 /Bi 2 O 3 (sintered at 1100°C). The composition of these systems consisted of 80% of oxide and 20% Bi 2 O 3 . The effects of sintering, composition and morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and EDS analysis. It has been found that Bi 2 O 3 , besides a liquid phase, forms intermediary unstable compounds with MgO and Al 2 O 3 . MAS ceramics were sintered with 10% Bi 2 O 3 at 1000°C, 1100°C and 1200°C.