Structural properties of Al2O3–MgO–C refractory composites improved with YAG nanoparticle hybridized expandable graphite

• Published in: Materials science & engineering. A, Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing Structural materials : properties, microstructure and processing, 2021-01, Vol.803, p.140502, Article 140502
• Main Authors: Sarath Chandra, K., Sarkar, Debasish
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aluminum oxide; Composite materials; Composition; Expandable graphite; Graphite; Magnesium oxide; Microstructure; Nanoparticles; Properties (attributes); Refractories; Refractory; Sintering; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Structural properties; Weibull modulus; YAG nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0921-5093; 1873-4936
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2020.140502

The structural properties of Al2O3–MgO–C refractories were measured with the addition of YAG nanoparticle hybridized expandable graphite (EG) powder as a partial replacement of graphite in the refractory composition. The experimental findings showed that the refractories fabricated with YAG nanoparticle hybridized EG exhibited a considerable improvement in structural properties (strength, toughness, Weibull modulus) as compared to that of refractories developed with conventional graphite compositions. These improvements in structural properties can be attributed to the formation of a well-sintered framework of EG embedded polyhedral YAG grains throughout the matrix microstructure of these new class of refractory composites. Mechanisms of microstructure evaluation and toughening in Al2O3–MgO–C refractory composites are proposed. [Display omitted] •Strong and tough refractories were fabricated.•Weibull modulus (m) was significantly enhanced from 4.2 to 9.8.•Intrinsic surface energy was considerably increased (γ ≈ 11.5 kJ m-2).•Framework of EG embedded YAG grains was dispersed throughout the microstructure.•Toughening mechanism of new class of EG embedded YAG is proposed.