MASTERING THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF CEMENT-BONDED Al_2O_3-MgO REFRACTORY CASTABLES

摘要

Biological materials can display hierarchical structures, with increasing toughness, despite the brittle nature of most of their constituents. The nacre structure comprises layered CaCO_3 platelets bonded by a thin layer of protein and displays a work of fracture of about three orders of magnitude higher than the CaCO_3, due to the proper assembling of both materials. Considering this aspect, different CA_6 morphology and its distribution in the Al_2O_3-MgO castables microstructure was designed by the suitable selection of the liquid phase source and content. As a result, outstanding creep resistance was attained, pointing out the likelihood to generate bio-inspired refractory castables.