CARACTERIZACIÓN MECÁNICA Y FÍSICA DE CERÁMICOS DESARROLLADOS A PARTIR DE PRECURSORES DE TITANATO DE POTASIO Y CAOLÍN MINERAL

Abstract

Potassium titanates (K2O_nTiO2) have gradients in fiber structure and chemical composition of n = 4, 6 and 8 also have attractive mechanical properties for exploitation [1, 2]. The kaolin mineral is one of the most important raw materials in the ceramic industry [3]. The objective was to develop and characterize the mechanical and physical properties of a new ceramic manufactured from potassium titanate precursors and kaolin mineral. TiO2 and KOH were used to synthesize precursors. There were 4 systems of precursors and kaolin: X1, X2, Y1 and Y2. Systems were heat treated at 1300 ° C and 1430 ° C/1h. The products obtained were evaluated by mechanically bending strength at 4 points, Vickers hardness, and density was determined. The crystalline phases and microstructure were determined by XRD and SEM. The X2 system presented the best mechanical properties and density of 2.6 g/cm3. This was attributed to the homogeneity of Aluminum Titanate (Al2TiO5) within the microstructure.