Study of the mechanism of andalusite-Al°-N2 reaction using the combination of DTA-TG-DTG techniques

Abstract

Alumina based ceramics have important engineering applications due to their good physicochemical properties but their performance may be enhanced by addition of a second phase. Aluminosilicates as andalusite submitted to aluminium reduction and the simultaneous nitriding (N2 atmosphere) leads to the obtention of alumina and phases of the Si-Al-O-N system. These phases are of great interest for structural ceramics. Mixes prepared with andalusite and Al° (different content) were treated with N2 up to 1550 °C., using a heating rate of 5 °/min. Thermal effects (DTA) and weight changes (TG, DTG) of nitriding reactions during heating were evaluated. The reaction mechanism was determined using DTA-TG-DTG techniques. Results indicate that Si° and AlN are important intermediate phases during reactions. The final products were a-Al2O3 with sialons, mainly b’ phase and polytype sialons. The final formed phases depend on the Al° content and can be predicted using the Si-Al-O-N phase diagram.