Effect of ion exchange on the mechanical properties and element distribution of magnesia porcelain matrix

Abstract This study focused on developing high‐strength magnesia porcelain using a base composition of natural ceramic materials, including Longyan kaolin, Guangfeng black talc, Haicheng calcined talc, and Xiushui potassium feldspar. The magnesia porcelain matrix was strengthened by the ion‐exchange method. Subsequently, the effects of exchange temperature and duration on the distribution of K + in ceramics, as well as the flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness of the ceramics, were studied. The results showed that when the samples were exchanged at 450°C for 5 h, the flexural strength reached 182.22 ± 6.91 MPa, which was 20.53% higher than that of the unexchanged samples. The hardness reached 8.81 GPa, which was 10.82% higher than that of the unexchanged samples. Moreover, the fracture toughness was 8.94% higher than that of the unexchanged samples, achieving a value of 1.95 MPa⋅m 1/2 .