The effect of Fe2O3 addition on tialite formation

Aluminium titanate (Al2TiO5) exhibits interesting properties, such as low thermal expansion, high thermal shock resistance, high refractoriness, and good corrosion resistance. In this research, effect of hematite (Fe2O3) addition on the formation temperature of Al2TiO5 was studied starting from very fine (micronsized) rutile (TiO2) and aluminum hydrate (Al(OH)3) powders. Samples with (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10) wt.% hematite were prepared for comparison. Identification of phases was accomplished using X-ray diffraction. The samples were characterized by simultaneous thermal analysis and microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy. The addition of Fe2O3 changes the mechanism of tialite formation. The main results are reduction in tialite formation temperature down to 1150 °C, tialite grains growth, and decrease of porosity.