The influence of compaction pressure on the density and electrical properties of cordierite-based ceramics

Due to its characteristics, cordierite, 2MgO?2Al2O3?5SiO2, is a high-temperature ceramic material of a great scientific interest. Mechanical activation of the starting mixtures containing 5.00 mass% TiO2 was performed in a high-energy ball mill for 10 minutes. The compaction pressure varied from 0.5 to 6tcm-2 (49-588 MPa). The sintering process was performed at 1350?C for four hours in the air atmosphere. The phase composition of the activated and sintered samples was analyzed using X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure of both compacted and sintered samples. The authors have investigated the influence of compaction pressure on the sintered samples and their electrical properties.