Effects of mechanical activation and two-step sintering on the structure and electrical properties of cordierite-based ceramics

The mechanical activation can help reduce production costs and modify cordierite-based materials. In this study, the structure and electrical properties of the mechanically activated MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system have been analyzed. The mixtures of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 powders were mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill for time periods ranging from 0 to 160 min. Structural investigations were performed on the obtained powders. The effects of activation and a two-step sintering process on the microstructure and crystal structure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermal stability was analyzed using DTA. Electrical measurements showed variations of the dielectric constant (εr) and loss tangent (tan δ) as a function of the time of mechanical treatment.