The objective of this work is to find essential conditions for the formation of dense cordierite ceramics from natural raw materials, kaolin and talc powders, without addition of fusing agents such as B
2O
3, P
2O
5 or feldspar. Solid state reactions, crystallization and sintering behaviors were investigated by using elutriated kaolinite and talc powders with alumina or submicron Mg(OH)
2 particles. For specimens containing kaolinite and talc with Al
2O
3, elutriation facilitated the thermal diffusion of MgO from decomposed talc to kaolinite, so that the sintering proceeded sufficiently at temperatures between 1000 and 1200°C. For specimens containing kaolinite and Mg(OH)
2 with SiO
2, decomposed magnesia disappeared completely by reacting with decomposed kaolinite to form uniform amorphous materials below 900°C. Single phase cordierite ceramics with a relative density larger than 97% were obtained by firing at 1350°C, using elutriated kaolinite and talc with boehmite sol.
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