Fabrication and Characterization of Porous Mullite Ceramics

Porous mullite was fabricated from kaolin and alumina using naphthalene as a pore-former. For different wt.% of naphthalene addition, the apparent porosity (%) was analysed. The mechanical strength was estimated through flexural strength and diametral tensile strength. Fabricated pellets were sintered at 1400 degrees C, 1500 degrees C, 1600 degrees C to study the effect of pore former on phase formation and porosity distribution through X-Ray diffraction study and FESEM microstructure analysis. The analysis showed 39.79% of porosity in the case of 20wt.% naphthalene addition with flexural strength of 21.93MPa. This pointed towards the application of this product as a membrane support material.