Microwave sintering of cordierite ceramic precursors obtained by starch direct consolidation

Microwave sintering of cordierite disk precursors (mixture of kaolin, talc and alumina) with potato starch was studied. Green disks were obtained by thermal consolidation of stable aqueous suspensions of the ceramic powders (29.6 % vol.) with potato starch (11.5 % vol.) at 75 and 85 deg C, 4h; drying (50 deg C,12h) and calcination (650 deg C, 2h). The reaction-sintering by microwave heating (power: 2.45 GHz; heating rate: 50 deg C/min) at different temperatures (1250-1330 deg C) and dwell times (10-20 min) was carried out. For comparative purposes, the reaction-sintering by conventional heating was analyzed (1330 deg C, 4h a 3 deg C/min). The evolution of the phases as a function of temperature and time was studied by XRD analysis. The developed microstructures (dense or porous) were characterized by density and porosity measurements, and SEM. The obtained results were analyzed in relation to the characteristics of starch behavior in aqueous suspension at temperature and the employed consolidation and sintering conditions. (author)