Production of mullite from natural raw materials using mechanical activation

Mullite, ceramic structure consisting by alumina and silica, is present in different ceramic industry, as refractory, white ceramic, titles and advanced ceramics. This is because this material presents high resistance mechanical and high resistance in high temperatures, beyond low expansion coefficients and thermal conductivity. On the other hand, the mullite production needs high temperatures. This work had as objective the production of mullite from natural raw materials, using mechanical activation. Bauxite and quartz had been mixed in the stoichiometric composition and the mixture was submitted to high energy milling for different times. Then non milled powders and milled powders had been sintered in different temperatures. The characterization was made by X Ray diffraction and scanning electronic microscopy. The results demonstrated that the high energy milling affects the mullite formation, decreasing the temperature in that it is formed. (author)