X-ray powder diffraction phase analysis and thermomechanical properties of silica and alumina porcelains

Chemical and mineralogical characterization, using the Rietveld method, of some silica and alumina rich porcelains and its relationship with thermomechanical properties have been studied in this work. X-ray powder diffraction analysis allows to differ clearly between silica and alumina porcelains. X-ray study shows that both porcelains have a content of vitreous phase. This vitreous phase is higher in the silica than in the alumina porcelain. Dilatometric studies combined with powder diffraction methods shows a strong relationship between silica content and a lower expansion coefficients and between alumina content and a higher crash resistance. Lower contents in vitreous phase in porcelain yields to higher thermal expansion coefficients. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.