Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of kyanite

The kinetics of the solid state high-temperature transformation of kyanite (Al₂SiO₅Al₂O₃·SiO₂) powders (≤40 μm) to 3:2-mullite (3Al₂O₃·2SiO₂) and silica (SiO₂ were investigated by means of quantitative X-ray diffraction techniques. The transformation interval was found to lie between about 1150 and 1350°C. The reaction law best fitting the kinetic data is: 1-α = kt^a. The transformation is believed to be reconstructive, with decomposition of the kyanite structure, solid-state atom diffusion, and (epitactic) rearrangement of mullite and cristobalite. Cristobalite represents part of the ⪡free⪢ silica, the rest being present as a glassy phase. Addition of Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ to the starting material exerts a marked decrease of the transformation temperature, with TiO₂ having a somewhat stronger influence than Fe₂O₃. The reason may be an oxide-catalyzed reaction; the decomposition begins at nuclei formed at the surfaces of the kyanite particles, which are coated with thin layers of hematite and rutile respectively.