Microstructure and Thermal Shock Behaviour of Alumina Composite Ceramic for Heat Transmission Pipeline

Abstract

Al2O3 composite ceramics materials used for heat transmission pipeline were prepared by pressureless sintering in air. Calcined bauxite, talc and commercial alumina powder were used as the main raw materials, partially stabilized zirconia was also added to improve the thermal shock resistance of the samples. The effects of composition and sintering temperature on density, phase composition, microstructure and thermal shock behavior of samples were evaluated. It shows that the B2 sample which was sintered at 1400 °C for 2 h has optimal properties with porosity 0.4%, bulk density 3.2 g•cm-3.The bending strength increases 19.46 MPa after 30 times thermal shock cycles from 1100 °C to room temperature. The main phases of B2 are corundum and spinel, meanwhile, a small amount of monoclinic zirconia and α-quartz are also detected according to XRD pattern. Microstructure analysis reveals that spinel crystals are interlocked by prismatic corundum crystals, bright white beaded monoclinic zirconia particles are distributed uniformly, and it is beneficial to improve the thermal shock resistance of sample.