Multi-Phasic Nanocomposite Sol-Gel Processing of Cordierite

Abstract

ABSTRACTCordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18) powders prepared from compositionally triphasic nanocomposite gels led to enhanced densification when compared to powders made by the conventional SSG route. The densification of the sintered cordierite pellets was determined by utilizing the Archimedes method and the microstructure of the pellets was examined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Bulk densities of monophasic, triphasic nanocomposite (two sols and one solution) and truly triphasic nanocomposite (three sols) pellets sintered at 1300°C for 2 hours were 2.01 g/cm3 (80% relative density), 2.42 g/cm3 (96% relative density) and 2.51 g/cm3 (100% relative density) respectively. The enhanced densification of α-cordierite utilizing triphasic nanocomposite sol-gel processing is, at least in part, due to the contribution of the heat of reaction from the three components.