Mechanical properties of mullite reinforced ceramics composite produced from kaolin and corn starch

In this research, the authors have prepared mullite-containing ceramics by mixing Sedlecky ml kaolin, Nabalox 315 alumina and corn starch as a bio-origin additive. Pellets were prepared from the mixtures using an uniaxial compression process. The pressed samples were pre-sintered at 1250 °C using oxidation and reduction atmospheres and then sintered at a temperature above 1400 °C in nitrogen gas. In this way, the typical carbothermal reduction and nitridation processes of clay minerals were performed, reinforced mullite ceramics were prepared and their main mechanical properties were investigated. Based on the obtained results, sintering in nitrogen gas resulted in a more wear-resistant surface layer.