Formation of Forsterite Using Rice Husk Ash for High Frequency Insulation

Forsterite (2MgO.SiO2) is usually used as a high frequency electrical insulator, particularly at elevated temperature due to its very low dielectric loss characteristics. Rice husk, an agricultural waste product, is a potential source of highly pure silica which can be used as one of the raw materials for the production of forsterite. In this paper the possibilities of lowering the sintering temperature of forsterite prepared from rice husk ash containing amorphous silica, and LR grade MgCO3 or technical grade magnesite along with sintering aids like BaO, Al2O3 and TiO2 have been discussed. Highly dense forsterite has been prepared at a temperature of 1200°–1250°C. The specimen showed dielectric loss of less than 0.0001 at frequencies higher than 1 MHz.