Examination of the Carbonization Process Using Kaolin and Sawdust

Abstract

Ceramics reinforced with carbon and silicon carbide particles are of great importance in the field of technical ceramics and ceramic composites. In this research, the possibilities of producing advanced ceramics from traditional, relatively inexpensive materials were studied. The authors have successfully developed mullite ceramic materials reinforced with carbon particles using kaolinite powder and sawdust. Powder mixtures with different compositions were prepared in a planetary ball mill using silica balls. The produced mixtures were compacted in a 100 kN pull-press to produce pellets using a pressure of 140 MPa. The prepared specimens were sintered in a laboratory chamber kiln under oxygen deficient conditions at 1250°C. After sintering of the specimens, considerable amounts of carbon content were incorporated into the material structure of produced ceramics, which were confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Using 10-20 m% sawdust in the mixtures, the carbon (C) content of sintered specimens was found to be more than 8 m%.