Comparative Studies on Synthesis and Characterization of Titania and Iron Oxide Doped Magnesia from Indian Salem Magnesite

Abstract

Sintering, densification, and characterization of Salem Magnesite with Titania (TiO 2 ) and Iron Oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) addition have been carried out in this work. Salem Magnesite samples with 2 wt.% TiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 addition have been sintered in the temperature range of 1550?C - 1650?C. The sintered sample has been characterized in terms of physico-chemical properties like bulk density, apparent porosity, specific gravity and structural properties by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Salem magnesite samples with 2 wt.% TiO 2 and Fe 2 O 3 addition have been densified to the specific gravity of 3.75 and 3.41 g/cc respectively after sintering at 1650?C and 2 h. The presence of Calcium Titanate (CaTiO3) phase at the grain boundary has been observed in the case of TiO 2 addition. For Iron Oxide addition, precipitation of “Y” shaped magnesium ferrite spinel has been observed inside the grains. Finally, TiO2 addition in Salem Magnesite shows better densification compared to both as received Salem Magnesite and Salem Magnesite with Fe 2 O 3 addition.