Thermo-mechanical and high-temperature dielectric properties of cordierite-mullite-alumina ceramics

Abstract

Heterogeneous ceramics made of cordierite (55-56 wt%), mullite (22-33 wt%) and alumina (23-11 wt%) were prepared by sintering non-standard raw materials containing corundum, talc, alpha-quartz, K-feldspar, kaolinite and mullite with small amounts of calcite, cristobalite and glass phases. The green specimens prepared by PVA assisted dry-pressing were sintered within the temperature range of 950-1500 degrees C for different dwelling times (2-8 h). The effects of sintering schedule on crystalline phase assemblage and thermomechanical properties were investigated. The sintered ceramics exhibited low coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) (3.2-4.2 x 10(-6) degrees C-1), high flexural strength (90-120 MPa and high Young modulus (100 GPa). The specimens sintered at 1250 degrees C exhibited the best thermal shock resistance (Delta T similar to 350 degrees C). The thermal expansion coefficients and thermal shock resistance were studied using Schapery model, the modelling results implying the occurrence of non-negligible mechanical interactions between the phases in bulk. The dielectric properties characterized from room to high temperature (RT-HT, up to 600 degrees C) revealed: (i) noticeable effects of sintering schedule on dielectric constant (5-10) and dielectric loss factor (similar to 0.02-0.04); (ii) stable dielectric properties until the failure of the electrode material. The thermomechanical properties coupled with desirable dielectric properties make the materials suitable for high density integrated circuitry or high temperature low-dielectric materials engineering. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.