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Materials for Ceramics

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Cordierite

Description: Crystalline magnesium aluminosilicate

Notes

Cordierite is a mineral that occurs naturally but also a manufactured ceramic. The first contact that most potters and technicians have with it is cordierite kiln shelves, but cordierite parts can be found in heaters and appliances at your home and work. These are made from magnesia, alumina and silica sourcing materials (e.g. talc or magnesite, kaolin, silica, alumina). You can calculate the mix of materials needed to achieve the formula 2MgO.2Al₂O₃.5SiO₂. The mix is formed and fired in oxidation to high temperatures (around cone 14) to form the desired crystalline phase.

Cordierite has an extremely low thermal expansion and low thermal conductivity (1 x 10-6), it is thus very resistant to thermal shock (so resistant that it can survive quenching in water from red heat). It is moderately refractory, sufficient to handle duty as kiln shelves at cone 10, but no higher than about 1350C.

Related Information

Links

Oxide	Analysis	Formula	Tolerance

Typecodes	Refractory Materials that melt at high temperatures. These are normally used for kiln bricks, furniture, etc. or for ceramics that must withstand high temperatures during service.
URLs	http://www.associatedceramics.com/cordierite.htm Associated Ceramics codierate properties page
Glossary	Refractory In the ceramic industry, refractory materials are those that can withstand a high temperature without deforming or melting. Or can be sintered into super materials.
Materials	Alumina

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