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Influence of Samarium Oxide Addition on Magnesium Aluminate Spinel: A Case of Reaction Sintering

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Abstract

In the present study, the role of samarium oxide (Sm2O3) as an additive on the property development of stoichiometric (molar ratio MgO: Al2O3 = 1:1) magnesium aluminate spinel using different raw material sources was investigated. Initially, a total of 6 spinel batches were prepared with the help of commercially available sources of alumina (three different grades) and magnesia (two different grades) and then, the effect of Sm2O3 addition (1-4% by weight) on the properties of different spinel compositions was studied in the temperature range of 1550-1650 °C. The various spinel batches, both additive-free and Sm2O3 doped, were then characterized via densification, phase formation, microstructural studies, cold strength and retainment of strength post thermal shock. The results revealed that 1% of Sm2O3 addition led to optimum densification of all the spinel batches. This was due to the formation of samarium aluminate-SmAlO3 formed as a result of reaction between Sm2O3 and components of spinel providing hindrance to the migration of grain-boundaries of spinel. An improvement in the cold-strength and retained strength post-thermal shock treatment in the Sm2O3-doped spinel compositions was also observed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to offer their sincerest gratitude to Almatis, India, for providing a variety of essential raw materials. Additionally, they would like to express their appreciation to the technical personnel of the Department of Ceramic Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, for their timely assistance throughout the course of experiments.

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  1. Department of Ceramic Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, 769008, India

    Biswajit Baruah & Ritwik Sarkar

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Baruah, B., Sarkar, R. Influence of Samarium Oxide Addition on Magnesium Aluminate Spinel: A Case of Reaction Sintering. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 33, 4647–4658 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-08272-y

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