Sintering of jadeite with adding diopside at atmospheric pressure

Abstract

Influence of diopside addition in the sintering of jadeite has been studied. A powder mixture of jadeite and 10 mass% of diopside was heated at the temperatures ranging from 830°C to 930°C for 3h, and heated specimens were examined by X-ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. Jadeite persisted in the specimen heated at 900°C. A small amount of nepheline and glass were found in the specimen. The densification of the powder mixture was achieved by the formation of a liquid with a composition in the system jadeite and diopside.