Effect of zircon on sintering, composition and microstructure of magnesia powders

The effects of zircon on sintering, composition and microstructure of fused magnesia powders were studied by XRD, SEM and EDAX. With the increase of zircon content up to 6 wt%, the strength of sintered samples increased but the apparent porosity decreased. 6 wt% is an appropriate content of zircon to possess better properties of samples, and in this case the samples have a dense microstructure and lower content of glass phase. The presence of a liquid phase resulting from zircon addition is the main reason to improve sintering of magnesia powders.