Fundamental Investigation Of Far-infrared Energy-saving Mullite-based Ceramics

Based on effects of far-infrared to oil fuel, which might enhance fuel-efficient and reduce carbon monoxide exhaust by opening long-chain molecules of fuel, increasing efficiency of atomizing and burning, mullite-based far-infrared ceramic was investigated, and Al(OH)₃ and SiO₂ were selected as source material of aluminum and silicon, by which a eutectic reaction occurr around 1300°C, and that lead to formation of mullite.Regular sinter technique was adopted, including air atmosphere, press-free and optimized temperature. Infrared absorption capacities were measured, instead of infrared emission capacity approximately. Effects of sintering additives (MgO, TiO₂) on sintering, microstructure and performances were investigated. The influence of ZrO₂, Y₂O₃ and Pd₂O₃ on the formation of mullite , far-infrared absorption, as well as relative mechanism were also concerned. It was showed that(1) Both MgO and TiO₂ can promote the formation of mullite effectively, the former with evident edges and corners, and the later with round shape.(2) When TiO₂ was selected as sintering additives, best infrared absorption effect , as well as highest content of mullite in the as-sintered material could be obtained at adding amount of 6wt% .(3) ZrO₂ can improve the density of materials significantly, and raise the far-infrared absorption around 12μm. Moreover, it can promote formation of mullite due to the formation of zircon with an adding amount of 5%.(4) With addition of a small amount of Y₂O₃/Pd₂O₃, effect of IR absorption could be improved significantly.