Synthesis and characterization of spinel-forsterite nanocomposites

This is the first report of successful synthesis of pure spinel-forsterite nanocomposites from talc, alumina, and magnesium carbonate powders. Appropriate ratios of initial materials were mixed and mechanically activated in a planetary ball mill. The obtained powders were annealed at high temperatures. Pure spinel-forsterite nanocomposites with crystallites size in the range of 30-87 nm were obtained after 40 h of mechanical activation and subsequent annealing at 1200 °C for 1 h. The results of cold crushing strength (CCS) showed that the maximum strength of the fired spinel-forsterite bodies (∼67 MPa) can be obtained in those samples with 10 wt.% spinel. The bulk density (BD) and apparent porosity (AP) of these samples were 1.46% and 17%, respectively.