Synthesis, microstructure and physical properties of aluminium titanate ceramics modified by multiple additives

Aluminium Titanate (Al ₂TiO ₅, AT) ceramics are renowned for their excellent thermal shock resistance, which is crucial in aerospace, automotive, and metallurgical applications. Despite their widespread use, AT ceramics have inherent flaws, including thermal expansion anisotropy and decomposition within a specific temperature range. This study synthesized AT ceramics from bauxite clinker and anatase via solid-state reaction with varied additive concentrations, aiming to examine mechanical strength and microstructural enhancements of AT ceramics. Y ₂O ₃ and aluminium powder (Al powder) positively affected mechanical strength and sintering densification, while SnO ₂ negatively affected densification and AT synthesis. The fabricated composite additive AT ceramics exhibited compressive strength of 190.5 MPa, with a stable 58 % strength retention rate after thermal shock testing, indicating good thermal shock resistance. This study demonstrates composite additives` effectiveness in improving thermal shock resistance and mechanical strength, offering insights for enhancing AT ceramics` performance in industrial applications.