Microstructural Characterization and Thermal Properties of Aluminium Titanate/Talc Ceramic Matrix Composites

Abstract

Talc (3MgO.4SiO(2).H2O) has excellent mechanical properties, shock and abrasion resistance, good electrical and thermal shock resistance, softness, isolation, chemical activity, heat resistance and oil absorption properties. Aluminium titanate (Al2TiO5) exhibit extremely good thermal shock resistance and low thermal conductivity coupled with good chemical resistance in molten metals. In the present work, Aluminium titanate/talc ceramics composites with different percentages of Al2TiO5 was prepared using powder metallurgy techniques. The microstructural, mechanical and thermal properties were characterized using XRD, SEM, dilatometer and hardness. Thermal shock resistance behaviour under water quenching of the as-prepared ceramics was also evaluated. Results, revealed that the addition of aluminium titanate to talc matrix improves the properties of the aluminium titanate/talc ceramics.