Cordierite composites reinforced with zircon arising from zirconium-vermiculite precursor

Abstract

The paper aimed with four forms of cordierite and cordierite–zircon ceramic composites prepared via sintering of the pre-ceramics clay mineral mixtures containing vermiculite (V) and zirconium–vermiculite (Zr–V) without the use of long-term grinding procedures. Precursor of zircon in cordierite was Zr–V prepared from V and zirconium salt solution via cation exchange. Cordierite composites containing pure cordierite phase were sintered from the clay mineral mixtures. Cordierite composites composed of spinel and enstatite or forsterite at the expense of cordierite were prepared from the clay mineral mixtures and Al2O3 or MgO. The additives contributed to the development of pores that size about 5 μm. Zircon crystals with a size ranging from 150 nm to 1 μm were irregularly distributed on the cordierite matrix surface. Cordierites reinforced with zircon in comparison to their parent cordierites showed a lower porosity and higher hardness values.