Abstract
Series of six cordierite-mullite ceramics were synthesized via solid state reaction at various temperatures from 1250 °C for pure cordierite to 1500 °C for pure mullite. Then the samples were submitted to the test of thermal shock resistance based on cycling heating-quenching procedure. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) have been used to characterize the samples before and after cycling heating-quenching method. Sample 6 was broken after 35 heating-quenching cycles, while the five other reminded stable. The refractoriness of samples is found to be higher than that of commercial ones. XRD shows that heating-quenching procedure has led to crystallization of cordierite and mullite phases. Apart from sample 6, the pore structure is stable with slight consolidation. The microstructure images confirm the results of XRD and MIP showing crack in sample 6 only, but compact and larger particles resulting from crystal growth in other samples due to the repeated action of heating.