The Effect of ZnO Addition on Properties of Magnesium Aluminate Spinel

The magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) is obtained at the end of solid-state reaction of MgO and Al2O3 mixture. In this study, magnesite waste and Al2O3 were used as initial materials for spinel synthesis. In this way, the recycling of waste materials disposed from magnesite factory was aimed. In addition, the effect of ZnO added into beginning mixture on densification of magnesium aluminate spinel was investigated. The initial mixture containing magnesite waste, Al2O3 and 1, 2, 3 and 4 wt. % ZnO addition were dry pressed and the specimens were exposed to sintering process at different temperatures (1300-1350-1400-1450 and 1500 degrees C) for 1 hour. The produced specimens were exposed to XRD, SEM-EDS analysis, bulk density, % apparent porosity and micro-hardness measurements were performed. In the light of findings, the optimum conditions for magnesium aluminate spinel production were determined.