TITLE:
Effect of Carbon Graphite on the Crystallization of Andalusite: Application to the Synthesis of Mullite and the Improvement of Refractory Quality
AUTHORS:
Chaouki Sadik, Iz-Eddine El Amrani, Abderrahman Albizane
KEYWORDS:
Refractory; Alumina-Silica; Andalusite; Mullite; Morocco
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.4 No.6,
May
30,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Different mixtures of Moroccan silica-alumina geomaterials were used for the preparation of refractory ceramics. A formula of composition (M2) has allowed obtaining a good quality of refractory. Addition of a small quantity of carbon (1%) to the M2 formula has substantially improved the quality of the refractory. The morphological, textural and mineralogical evolution, through SEM and XRD shows that the addition of carbon, which plays a catalytic role, favors the crystallization of andalusite. Then, from 1200°C, the andalusite starts to transform to primary mullite needles. At 1400°C, the mullite becomes the major mineral phase beside cristobalite and vitreous phase.