Mechanical properties of anorthite based ceramics prepared from kaolin DD2 and calcite

Abstract Good quality ceramics costs a lot that has limited their use in developing countries. This work was devoted to prepare low-cost and good quality anorthite based ceramics. The proposed composition was 80 wt% kaolin (DD2 type) and 20 wt% calcium oxide (CaO). The choice of these raw materials was dictated by their natural abundance coupled with a modified milling system, as another interesting advantage. Previous studies have shown that a simple vibratory multidirectional milling system using bimodal distribution of highly resistant ceramic milling elements has been successfully applied for obtaining fine powders. The influence of the relatively lower sintering temperature, ranging from 800 to 1100 °C, on the porosity and the average pore size (APS) have been investigated. The APS and the porosity values of samples sintered at 950 °C were about 1 μm and 4%, respectively. The best Vickers microhardness and 3-point bending strength values for these sintered samples, using this proposed milling system, were 7.1 GPa and 203 MPa, respectively. Finally, the crystalline phase evolution during heat treatment was investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques.