Production of Forsterite Powder Using Sol-Gel Technology

The effect of initial components, gel-forming additives, and heat-treatment and disaggregation conditions on the completeness of synthesis of forsterite and on powder morphology is considered. The colloid method using silica sol and magnesium acetate solution provides the steadiest and most homogeneous sol and after heat treatment yields highly dispersed powder without additional milling. The technological regimes facilitating complete synthesis are identified. Control of the synthesis temperature makes it possible to obtain powder with particle size ranging from less than 0.1 to 0.2 - 0.5 (mu)m and aggregate size from 0.5 to 2 - 5 (mu)m.