Effect of B₂O₃ on Phase Transformation of Cordierite Synthesized from Algerian Kaolin and MgO

Abstract

In this study mixtures of Algerian kaolinite (kaolin Tamazarte (KT) and kaolin of Djebel Debbagh (DD1)) with magnesium oxide with and without boron oxide B2O3 additive were investigated in order to obtain a dense cordierite also called indialite. The addition of B2O3 has promoted the formation of α-cordierite either by crystallization of the residual glass or by transformation of µ-cordierite. The differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetric analysis experiments were carried out on ceramic samples in the temperature range between room temperature and 1300 • C at different heating rates. In order to determine the phases and their transformations in cordierite powders treated at different temperatures between 900 and 1300 • C with steps of 50 • C the X-ray diffraction analysis was used.