Microstructure and fracture mechanism of low density ceramic proppants

摘要

Solid wastes coal gangue and magnesium slag were added to prepare low density ceramic proppants at sintering temperatures below 1300 degrees C. The addition of solid wastes greatly decreases sintering temperature and preparation cost. The morphology and phase composition of the proppants were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the main crystal phases of the proppants are granular corundum and rod-like mullite, and the proppants have better sphericity. Furthermore, the most suitable sintering temperature is 1250 degrees C, and the resulting ceramics exhibit transgranular fracture. This means that rod-like mullite crystals provide strong toughening and reinforcing effects. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.