TITLE:
Elaboration and Characterization of Mullite Refractory Products from Moroccan Andalusite
AUTHORS:
Mostafa Sardy, Abdelhak Arib, Kacem El Abbassi, Moussa Gomina
KEYWORDS:
Andalusite; Mullite Refractory; Structure; Mechanical Properties
JOURNAL NAME:
New Journal of Glass and Ceramics,
Vol.2 No.3,
July
30,
2012
ABSTRACT: Enrichment of schist mined in Morocco resulted in an extract essentially made of andalusite, quartz and muscovite, which was investigated with the aim to synthesize mullite refractory materials. X-ray diffraction analysis was used to assess phase transformations upon heating at different temperatures. Mullite formation starts as early as 1200℃ and seems almost total at 1450℃. This process correlates with a weak shrinkage (3.5% at 1450℃) and the formation of an important glass phase. Green compacts obtained by unidirectional pressing the extract powder were heated under air in the temperature range 1200℃ - 1600℃. Chemical and mechanical properties of these materials were investigated and correlated with their microstructure.