Effect of sintering process and additives on the properties of cordierite based ceramics

Cordierite is largely known for its low coefficient of thermal expansion and other valuable properties leading to its wide use in severe thermal and chemical conditions. Cordierite ceramics for technical use have been synthetically created using various starting materials and synthesis techniques, most commonly - solid-state reaction. Cordierite crystalline phase containing ceramics have been attempted to produce from oxides and natural raw materials using traditional sintering and faster alternative - spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods in this paper. Starting powders were prepared from magnesium, aluminium and silicon oxides using clay and 3 different dolomite additives in attempt to replace part of required amount of magnesium oxide. Two different milling times were used to homogenise green powders. X-ray diffraction analysis and compressive strength testing, as well as measurments of ceramic properties have been carried out and evaluated for obtained samples.