Characterization of insulating ceramic material based on calcium hexaluminate

• Grant number: 15/01541-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2015
• End date: January 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Ivone Regina de Oliveira
• Grantee: Vitoria Marques Cesar Leite
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (IP&D). Universidade do Vale do Paraíba (UNIVAP). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Numerous papers and publications report the use of microporous calcium hexaluminate (CaO.6Al2O3; CA6) as a key raw material for high temperature insulating materials. This material has unique properties with respect to chemical purity and mineral composition. Another important property of CA6 is its structure which consists of platelet-shaped crystals that interlock. The free distance between the crystals defines the microporous structure. The low density in combination with the micropores hampers heat transfer by radiation at temperatures exceeding 1000 oC and results in a low thermal conductivity. Given the advantages presented by this material, it is necessary to understand the mechanism of formation of CA6 grains in order to better develop the potential applications of this material. CA6 can be fabricated using organic binders to consolidate the Al2O3-CaCO3 powder mixture and to provide green strength so that a green body can be formed and retain the desired shape before heating. However, these organic binders must be completely thermally decomposed so that they do not remain in the sintered body as carbon or ash. Moreover, the use of organic binders releases large volumes of gases such as carbon dioxide from the green body during heating. Therefore, it has been developed an eco-friendly ceramic fabrication process employing inorganic binder (hydraulic alumina). The aim of the present work is to study the synthesis of porous calcium-hexaluminate ceramics using calcined alumina or hydraulic alumina combined with different sources of calcia (CaCO3 and Ca(OH)2) at optimized conditions. The materials produced will be characterized by scanning electron microscopy, apparent porosity, density and mercury porosimetry. (AU)