Influence of a powder-forming additive on the physical-mechanical properties and structure of a ceramic material

The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of various pore-forming additives on the porosity and permeability of alumina ceramic material. Analysis of mineralogical, particle size distribution and chemical composition of raw materials and ceramics samples was performed using standard research methods, JCM-6000 (JEOL) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) microscopes, LW600LT, x-ray diffractometer Rigaku D/max-RA, Hitachi SU-70 and Pore Master. The microstructure of the composite ceramic material in all experiments demonstrated the presence of numerous cross-sectionally elongated pores, which proves the dependence of the pore-forming structure on the shape of the pore-forming agent. The high permeability of samples with lignin is due to the improved plastic properties of the clays. By increasing the clay content from 5 to 10 wt.% it was possible to increase the sintering density of the samples and reduce their overall porosity. The permeability porosity increases with the introduction of more urea, and the strength of the samples is then at its maximum. Samples with the addition of lignin demonstrated resistance to mechanical stress and high permeability. The study identifies the prospects of using crystallised urea and lignin from manufacturing waste as a pore former, which will allow the establishment of environmentally friendly ceramic materials with high permeability and durability and solve the problem of atmospheric pollution.