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Antonije đorđevic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of mechanical activation and tio2 addition on the behavior of two step sintered Steatite ceramics
Ceramics International, 2019Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Darko Kosanovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Antonije đorđevic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi PavlovicAbstract:Abstract Steatite, as ceramic with composition predominantly resting on magnesium silicate, was produced from economic resources – talc, aluminosilicate clays, and either BaCO3 or feldspar as flux. Titanium dioxide was a doping agent. Four Steatite mixtures were mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill for 30, 45 or 60 min, prior to the thermal treatment. Two-step sintering with initial phase set at 1350 °C and holding period conducted at 1250 °C was applied to initiate diffusion and prevent grain growth. Thereby, a high density ceramic material with low-porous submicron structure was acquired. The effects of TiO2 addition on densification, microstructure, and dielectric characteristics of Steatites were monitored. The thermal stability of green mixtures was tested by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Changes in crystallinity and mineral phase composition were observed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization with spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements on surface of the sintered ceramics was acquired by scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. In order to test the possibility of employment of the obtained Steatites in insulation materials, electrical measurements were conducted by recording variations of the dielectric constant and loss tangent as a function of alternations in the mix-design and the mechanical activation period.
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influence of different bonding and fluxing agents on the sintering behavior and dielectric properties of Steatite ceramic materials
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi Pavlovic, Draga I Olca, Antonije đorđevicAbstract:Abstract The focus of the study was on providing insights into interconnections between sintering and development of the crystalline microstructure, and consequently variations in dielectric behavior of four Steatites fabricated from a low-cost raw material, i.e. talc. The changes, induced by the alternations of the binders (bentonite, kaolin clay) and fluxing agents (BaCO 3 , feldspar), were monitored in the temperature range 1000° to 1250 °C in which complete densification and re-crystallization of the investigated structures were accomplished. The critical points in the synthesis of Steatite materials were assessed by instrumental analyses. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were monitored by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. The thermal stability was observed on the green mixtures using differential thermal and thermo gravimetric analyses. Electrical measurements recorded variations of the dielectric constant (e r ) and loss tangent (tan δ) as a function of the sintering temperature. The investigation highlighted critical design points, as well as the optimal combinations of the raw materials for production of the Steatite ceramics for advanced electrical engineering applications.
Vladimi Pavlovic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of mechanical activation and tio2 addition on the behavior of two step sintered Steatite ceramics
Ceramics International, 2019Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Darko Kosanovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Antonije đorđevic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi PavlovicAbstract:Abstract Steatite, as ceramic with composition predominantly resting on magnesium silicate, was produced from economic resources – talc, aluminosilicate clays, and either BaCO3 or feldspar as flux. Titanium dioxide was a doping agent. Four Steatite mixtures were mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill for 30, 45 or 60 min, prior to the thermal treatment. Two-step sintering with initial phase set at 1350 °C and holding period conducted at 1250 °C was applied to initiate diffusion and prevent grain growth. Thereby, a high density ceramic material with low-porous submicron structure was acquired. The effects of TiO2 addition on densification, microstructure, and dielectric characteristics of Steatites were monitored. The thermal stability of green mixtures was tested by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Changes in crystallinity and mineral phase composition were observed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization with spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements on surface of the sintered ceramics was acquired by scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. In order to test the possibility of employment of the obtained Steatites in insulation materials, electrical measurements were conducted by recording variations of the dielectric constant and loss tangent as a function of alternations in the mix-design and the mechanical activation period.
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microstructure and phase composition of Steatite ceramics sintered by traditional and spark plasma sintering
Science of Sintering, 2018Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Vaclav Pouchly, Karel Maca, Vladimi PavlovicAbstract:The influence of the sintering method on the mineral phase transformations and development of the crystalline microstructure of Steatite ceramics was investigated. The Steatite samples were fabricated from talc and bentonite as low-cost raw materials. Feldspar and barium carbonate, as fluxing agents, were altered in the Steatite composition. Dilatometric analysis was applied in the monitoring of the dimensional changes and thereby densification of Steatite during the traditional sintering (TS) procedure up to 1200°C. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) method was used under the following sintering conditions: 100°C/min heating rate, uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa; sintering temperature 800°C/1 min or 1000°C/2 min. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were observed by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy equipped with the EDS mapping. It was found that SPS sintering facilitated all microstructural changes during high temperature treatment and shifted them to lower temperatures. SPS treatment conducted at 1000°C resulted in maximum densification of the Steatite powder compacts and the formation stabilized protoenstatite structure. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON 172057 and Grant no. III 45008]
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influence of different bonding and fluxing agents on the sintering behavior and dielectric properties of Steatite ceramic materials
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi Pavlovic, Draga I Olca, Antonije đorđevicAbstract:Abstract The focus of the study was on providing insights into interconnections between sintering and development of the crystalline microstructure, and consequently variations in dielectric behavior of four Steatites fabricated from a low-cost raw material, i.e. talc. The changes, induced by the alternations of the binders (bentonite, kaolin clay) and fluxing agents (BaCO 3 , feldspar), were monitored in the temperature range 1000° to 1250 °C in which complete densification and re-crystallization of the investigated structures were accomplished. The critical points in the synthesis of Steatite materials were assessed by instrumental analyses. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were monitored by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. The thermal stability was observed on the green mixtures using differential thermal and thermo gravimetric analyses. Electrical measurements recorded variations of the dielectric constant (e r ) and loss tangent (tan δ) as a function of the sintering temperature. The investigation highlighted critical design points, as well as the optimal combinations of the raw materials for production of the Steatite ceramics for advanced electrical engineering applications.
Marta Valaskova - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from talc kaolin and vermiculites comparison of natural and organovermiculites effect
Materials Today: Proceedings, 2018Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, Soňa Studentova, Marcel Mikeska, Gražyna Simha MartynkovaAbstract:Abstract The comparable characteristics of the cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples sintered from the mixtures containing vermiculites (Ver) from the deposits of Brazil (Ver-S) and Palabora (Ver-P) and the organovermiculites Ver-S/ODA (intercalated in the melt of the octadecylamine, ODA), Ver-P/HTMA (intercalated hexadecyltrimethylamonium, HTMA+) and Ver-P/HDP (intercalated hexadecylpyridinium, HDP+) were studied based on the X-ray powder diffraction mineral phase analysis and porosity measurement. The alkali potassium bounded in the vermiculite structure of Ver-P decrease temperature of the sintering and crystallization of the hexagonal cordierite, indialite, IN protoenstatite, PE. Sintering of mixtures with Ver-S containing lower content of potassium resulted in crystallization of IN > 80 vol.% and PE > OR. The organovermiculites Ver-P/HTMA and Ver-P/HDP prepared from Ver-P dispersed in water by the cation exchange are release of cations from the structure of vermiculite. The cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples sintered from the mixtures with Ver-P/HTMA and Ver-P/HDT showed lower content of IN in the favor of OR>PE and reduced porosity. All cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples showed dependency of the lattice parameters and quantity of IN on the porosity.
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cordierite Steatite ceo2 porous materials preparation structural characterization and their photocatalytic activity
Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2015Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, Kamila Koci, Jana KupkovaAbstract:Abstract The study is focused on structural characterization of new cordierite/Steatite/CeO2 ceramic catalysts sintered from the mixtures containing vermiculite/CeO2 (Ver/CeO2) ceria precursor and testing their photocatalytic ability to decompose nitrous oxide (N2O). Two preceramic mixtures named A and B contained the amount of kaolinite (47 wt% and 50 wt%, respectively), different quantity of talc (40 wt% and 20 wt%, respectively) and vermiculite (13 and 30 wt%, respectively). Their counterpart mixtures A/CeO2 and B/CeO2 contained vermiculite/CeO2 instead of pure vermiculite. Ceramic cordierite/Steatite (A and B) and cordierite/Steatite/CeO2 (A/CeO2 and B/CeO2) sintered at 1300 °C were composed of indialite, hexagonal form of cordierite, orthorhombic protoenstatite and orthoenstatite, and CeO2 (3 wt% at A/CeO2 and 10 wt% at B/CeO2). The cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples A and B showed the porosity 34 and 21%, respectively, a unimodal pore size distribution and the median pore diameter 22 and 15 μm, respectively. The cordierite/Steatite/CeO2 samples A/CeO2 and B/CeO2 showed bimodal pore size distribution and porosity of 54 and 58%, respectively, and the median pore diameter 8 and 7 μm, respectively. A mean crystallite size D(220) of CeO2 was found for Ver/CeO2 = 8.5 ± 0.5 nm, A/CeO2 = 27.1 ± 2.8 nm and for B/CeO2 = 31.1 ± 3.0 nm. Photocatalytic decomposition of N2O over the ceramic samples A/CeO2 and B/CeO2 was performed during 20 h in annular batch reactor illuminated with 8 W Hg lamp (254 nm wavelength). Reaction kinetic corresponds to first-order reaction rate which is in agreement with plausible reaction mechanisms. The highest N2O conversion of 91% was achieved over the sample B/CeO2.
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structural characteristics of cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from mixtures containing pore forming organovermiculite
Ceramics International, 2014Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, J Zdralkova, Jonas Tokarský, Simha G Martynkova, Michal Ritz, Soňa StudentovaAbstract:Abstract The preceramic mixtures appropriate to the composition of cordierite are composed of talc, kaolinite and vermiculite (Ver), and/or organovermiculite (Ver-org) as a pore-forming agent. The preceramic mixtures for sintering at 1300 °C were prepared in two different ways, loosely in crucibles and compressed into pellets. Structural characterization of cordierite/Steatite ceramic was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy analysis and porosity measurement. The ceramic samples showed (1) bimodal meso-macropore size distribution and unimodal macropore size distribution, when the preceramic mixtures included Ver and Ver-org, respectively, and (2) higher porosity when sintering mixtures occurred in crucibles in comparison with pellets. The XRD patterns and quantitative XRD phase analysis revealed cordierite/Steatite ceramics in the composition of indialite (IND) and two orthorhombic forms of enstatite: protoenstatite (PEN) and orthoenstatite (OREN). All cordierite/Steatite samples contained a greater amount of PEN than OREN and a slightly higher quantity of IND when sintered in crucibles compare to pellets. The ceramic samples prepared from the preceramic mixtures with twice the amount of Ver-org contained a high quantity of IND (91 vol%), PEN (about 9 vol%) and no OREN. The unit cell parameter c in comparison with the pure IND was about 0.001–0.003 nm shorter at all INDs. The pore-forming Ver-org supports structural substitution of cations during crystallization of IND with the substitution Ca 0.50 Mg 1.50 –Ca 0.25 Mg 1.75 . The IR spectra in the 400–1600 cm −1 region confirmed the presence of cordierite and Steatite.
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structural variability of high purity cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from mixtures with various vermiculites
Ceramics International, 2014Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, J Zdralkova, Simha G Martynkova, Edřich Smetana, Jozef Vlcek, Soňa StudentovaAbstract:Abstract The cordierite/Steatite ceramics were prepared from the pre-ceramic clay mineral mixtures containing talc, kaolinite and unconventionally used vermiculite. The aim was to characterize cordierite/Steatite ceramics in relation to the vermiculites in the pre-ceramic mixtures and compare the influence of their sintering, loosely in crucibles and pressed into pellets. Quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed approximately a 5 vol% lower content of indialite (IND) sintered in pellets than in crucibles, and protoenstatite (PEN) slightly prevailing over orthoenstatite (OREN) at all ceramic samples. All ceramic samples showed linear dependency of porosity on the increasing content of potassium and sodium in structure of vermiculites. Highest porosity, 55%, was detected for sample in crucible made of vermiculite admixture from Letovice region (CR) and the smallest porosity 0.25% was in a sample in pellets made of vermiculite admixture from the Xinlong deposit (China).
Soňa Studentova - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from talc kaolin and vermiculites comparison of natural and organovermiculites effect
Materials Today: Proceedings, 2018Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, Soňa Studentova, Marcel Mikeska, Gražyna Simha MartynkovaAbstract:Abstract The comparable characteristics of the cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples sintered from the mixtures containing vermiculites (Ver) from the deposits of Brazil (Ver-S) and Palabora (Ver-P) and the organovermiculites Ver-S/ODA (intercalated in the melt of the octadecylamine, ODA), Ver-P/HTMA (intercalated hexadecyltrimethylamonium, HTMA+) and Ver-P/HDP (intercalated hexadecylpyridinium, HDP+) were studied based on the X-ray powder diffraction mineral phase analysis and porosity measurement. The alkali potassium bounded in the vermiculite structure of Ver-P decrease temperature of the sintering and crystallization of the hexagonal cordierite, indialite, IN protoenstatite, PE. Sintering of mixtures with Ver-S containing lower content of potassium resulted in crystallization of IN > 80 vol.% and PE > OR. The organovermiculites Ver-P/HTMA and Ver-P/HDP prepared from Ver-P dispersed in water by the cation exchange are release of cations from the structure of vermiculite. The cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples sintered from the mixtures with Ver-P/HTMA and Ver-P/HDT showed lower content of IN in the favor of OR>PE and reduced porosity. All cordierite/Steatite ceramic samples showed dependency of the lattice parameters and quantity of IN on the porosity.
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structural characteristics of cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from mixtures containing pore forming organovermiculite
Ceramics International, 2014Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, J Zdralkova, Jonas Tokarský, Simha G Martynkova, Michal Ritz, Soňa StudentovaAbstract:Abstract The preceramic mixtures appropriate to the composition of cordierite are composed of talc, kaolinite and vermiculite (Ver), and/or organovermiculite (Ver-org) as a pore-forming agent. The preceramic mixtures for sintering at 1300 °C were prepared in two different ways, loosely in crucibles and compressed into pellets. Structural characterization of cordierite/Steatite ceramic was performed using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy analysis and porosity measurement. The ceramic samples showed (1) bimodal meso-macropore size distribution and unimodal macropore size distribution, when the preceramic mixtures included Ver and Ver-org, respectively, and (2) higher porosity when sintering mixtures occurred in crucibles in comparison with pellets. The XRD patterns and quantitative XRD phase analysis revealed cordierite/Steatite ceramics in the composition of indialite (IND) and two orthorhombic forms of enstatite: protoenstatite (PEN) and orthoenstatite (OREN). All cordierite/Steatite samples contained a greater amount of PEN than OREN and a slightly higher quantity of IND when sintered in crucibles compare to pellets. The ceramic samples prepared from the preceramic mixtures with twice the amount of Ver-org contained a high quantity of IND (91 vol%), PEN (about 9 vol%) and no OREN. The unit cell parameter c in comparison with the pure IND was about 0.001–0.003 nm shorter at all INDs. The pore-forming Ver-org supports structural substitution of cations during crystallization of IND with the substitution Ca 0.50 Mg 1.50 –Ca 0.25 Mg 1.75 . The IR spectra in the 400–1600 cm −1 region confirmed the presence of cordierite and Steatite.
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structural variability of high purity cordierite Steatite ceramics sintered from mixtures with various vermiculites
Ceramics International, 2014Co-Authors: Marta Valaskova, J Zdralkova, Simha G Martynkova, Edřich Smetana, Jozef Vlcek, Soňa StudentovaAbstract:Abstract The cordierite/Steatite ceramics were prepared from the pre-ceramic clay mineral mixtures containing talc, kaolinite and unconventionally used vermiculite. The aim was to characterize cordierite/Steatite ceramics in relation to the vermiculites in the pre-ceramic mixtures and compare the influence of their sintering, loosely in crucibles and pressed into pellets. Quantitative X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed approximately a 5 vol% lower content of indialite (IND) sintered in pellets than in crucibles, and protoenstatite (PEN) slightly prevailing over orthoenstatite (OREN) at all ceramic samples. All ceramic samples showed linear dependency of porosity on the increasing content of potassium and sodium in structure of vermiculites. Highest porosity, 55%, was detected for sample in crucible made of vermiculite admixture from Letovice region (CR) and the smallest porosity 0.25% was in a sample in pellets made of vermiculite admixture from the Xinlong deposit (China).
Anja Terzic - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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effects of mechanical activation and tio2 addition on the behavior of two step sintered Steatite ceramics
Ceramics International, 2019Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Darko Kosanovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Antonije đorđevic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi PavlovicAbstract:Abstract Steatite, as ceramic with composition predominantly resting on magnesium silicate, was produced from economic resources – talc, aluminosilicate clays, and either BaCO3 or feldspar as flux. Titanium dioxide was a doping agent. Four Steatite mixtures were mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill for 30, 45 or 60 min, prior to the thermal treatment. Two-step sintering with initial phase set at 1350 °C and holding period conducted at 1250 °C was applied to initiate diffusion and prevent grain growth. Thereby, a high density ceramic material with low-porous submicron structure was acquired. The effects of TiO2 addition on densification, microstructure, and dielectric characteristics of Steatites were monitored. The thermal stability of green mixtures was tested by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses. Changes in crystallinity and mineral phase composition were observed by the X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization with spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements on surface of the sintered ceramics was acquired by scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. In order to test the possibility of employment of the obtained Steatites in insulation materials, electrical measurements were conducted by recording variations of the dielectric constant and loss tangent as a function of alternations in the mix-design and the mechanical activation period.
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microstructure and phase composition of Steatite ceramics sintered by traditional and spark plasma sintering
Science of Sintering, 2018Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Vaclav Pouchly, Karel Maca, Vladimir B PavlovicAbstract:The influence of the sintering method on the mineral phase transformations and development of the crystalline microstructure of Steatite ceramics was investigated. The Steatite samples were fabricated from talc and bentonite as low-cost raw materials. Feldspar and barium carbonate, as fluxing agents, were altered in the Steatite composition. Dilatometric analysis was applied in the monitoring of the dimensional changes and thereby densification of Steatite during the traditional sintering (TS) procedure up to 1200 °C. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) method was used under the following sintering conditions: 100 °C/min heating rate, uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa; sintering temperature 800 °C/1 min or 1000 °C/2 min. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were observed by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy equipped with the EDS mapping. It was found that SPS sintering facilitated all microstructural changes during high temperature treatment and shifted them to lower temperatures. SPS treatment conducted at 1000 °C resulted in maximum densification of the Steatite powder compacts and the formation stabilized protoenstatite structure.
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microstructure and phase composition of Steatite ceramics sintered by traditional and spark plasma sintering
Science of Sintering, 2018Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Vaclav Pouchly, Karel Maca, Vladimi PavlovicAbstract:The influence of the sintering method on the mineral phase transformations and development of the crystalline microstructure of Steatite ceramics was investigated. The Steatite samples were fabricated from talc and bentonite as low-cost raw materials. Feldspar and barium carbonate, as fluxing agents, were altered in the Steatite composition. Dilatometric analysis was applied in the monitoring of the dimensional changes and thereby densification of Steatite during the traditional sintering (TS) procedure up to 1200°C. Spark plasma sintering (SPS) method was used under the following sintering conditions: 100°C/min heating rate, uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa; sintering temperature 800°C/1 min or 1000°C/2 min. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were observed by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy equipped with the EDS mapping. It was found that SPS sintering facilitated all microstructural changes during high temperature treatment and shifted them to lower temperatures. SPS treatment conducted at 1000°C resulted in maximum densification of the Steatite powder compacts and the formation stabilized protoenstatite structure. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. ON 172057 and Grant no. III 45008]
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influence of different bonding and fluxing agents on the sintering behavior and dielectric properties of Steatite ceramic materials
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Ljubisa Andric, Vladimi Pavlovic, Draga I Olca, Antonije đorđevicAbstract:Abstract The focus of the study was on providing insights into interconnections between sintering and development of the crystalline microstructure, and consequently variations in dielectric behavior of four Steatites fabricated from a low-cost raw material, i.e. talc. The changes, induced by the alternations of the binders (bentonite, kaolin clay) and fluxing agents (BaCO 3 , feldspar), were monitored in the temperature range 1000° to 1250 °C in which complete densification and re-crystallization of the investigated structures were accomplished. The critical points in the synthesis of Steatite materials were assessed by instrumental analyses. Crystallinity changes and mineral phase transition during sintering were monitored by X-ray diffraction technique. Microstructural visualization of the samples and the spatial arrangements of individual chemical elements were achieved via scanning electron microscopy accompanied with EDS mapping. The thermal stability was observed on the green mixtures using differential thermal and thermo gravimetric analyses. Electrical measurements recorded variations of the dielectric constant (e r ) and loss tangent (tan δ) as a function of the sintering temperature. The investigation highlighted critical design points, as well as the optimal combinations of the raw materials for production of the Steatite ceramics for advanced electrical engineering applications.
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mechanical activation as sintering pre treatment of talc for Steatite ceramics
Science of Sintering, 2014Co-Authors: Anja Terzic, Nina Obradovic, Jovica Stojanovic, Ljubisa Andric, M KostovicAbstract:The effect of vibratory mill induced mechanical activation on the change of the particle size, crystallinity and the phase transformations of the minerals present in the activated material, was studied with the purpose of decreasing of the sintering temperature of talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) as raw material which is the basic component of the Steatite ceramics. The aims of the conducted investigation were, also, increasing of the reactivity of the comminuted raw material and establishing of the optimal activation period. The properties of the activated talc induced by mechanical force were expressed in form of the grain inertia change which was measured by means of automatic grain counter. Mechanically activated grains are the most convenient mineral form for physical concentration since the energy change of the mill-material system is recorded on them. The effect of dry grinding on the structure, particle size and shape of talc was studied by means of XRD, DTA and SEM/EDS methods. Activation of talc produced an increase of the starting surface area value progressively from 4.5 m 2 /g up to a maximum of 108.5 m 2 /g achieved at 30 min. A subsequent decrease of rate of surface area change and the rate of size reduction were observed following the prolonged grinding. Talc activated in vibratory mill for optimal 30 min showed properties which positively influence the decrease of sintering temperature and the increase of the sintering rate of Steatite ceramics.
