Investigation of Microstructure of Ceramics Produced from Gabbro and Zeolite Raw Materials

摘要

In this study, usage of gabbro and zeolite in the manufacturing of ceramic products were investigated. Three different compositions which consist of zeolite and gabbro as starting materials were prepared to manufacture a ceramic product. Dry mixing process was performed by ball milling for 10 h with alumina balls for all compositions. Compacted samples with 20 mm in diameter were obtained by dry pressing at the pressure of 400 MPa. Then, pressed samples were sintered at 900, 1000, 1100, 1150 and 1200 °C for 1 h in atmospheric conditions. Having completed the sintering process, the microstructural properties of products were examined by optic microscopy and SEM-EDS. The sintering behaviour of the samples produced at different firing temperatures was evaluated by the determination of the water absorption, bulk density and apparent porosity. Also, hardness of the samples was measured.