Effect of Silica Particle Size on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Ceramic Composites

Abstract

Ceramics hold all traditional, scientific and engineering raw materials or fabricated products used in different applications especially that performed at high temperatures through high-tempers. The remarkable progress made recently in the advancement of technology has related a prerequisite for a seriously huge number of parts with controlled porosity. In ceramic manufacturing, acquiring a porous item of such parameters and at the same time demonstrating appropriate mechanical strength isn`t a simple issue. The powder-mixing system was utilized to fabricate kaolin-silica fired composites. The main purpose of the paper was to prepare ceramic bodies rich in pores with the goal that it will have a lightweight structure. Different wt.% of silica having distinctive two-particle sizes are blended with kaolin, and afterwards, they shaped by semi-dry pressing in a hardened steel mould under 3-ton loads and sintered at four various temperatures, 900, 1000, 1100 and 1200 �C. Evaluating of composite`s physical properties showed that a good level of porosity was obtained, and it was extended; especially in mixtures contain a coarse particle size. These results are enhanced by acceptable evident comes from good apparent solid density and good strength.