Lightweight alumina based fibrous ceramics with different high temperature binder

Abstract In this study, two kinds of alumina based fibrous ceramics, conventional alumina fibrous ceramics and the designed alumina/silica composite fibrous ceramic, were fabricated with different high temperature binders and the effect of the kind of high temperature binder and the binder content on the sample properties were analyzed. Furthermore, comparative analyses of the microstructure and compression and rebound properties of two kinds of alumina based fibrous ceramics were conducted. Conventional alumina fibrous ceramics were fabricated with the silica sol as the high temperature binder and the introduction of silica sol endow the sample a high compressive strength; however, the introduced silica phase would fill the pores constructed by the alumina fibers, consequently increasing the sample porosity. The alumina/silica composite fibrous ceramics were fabricated with glass fibers as the high temperature binder. The alumina fibers lapped with each other and acted as the main matrix of structure, while the molten silica binders bonded the junction of matrix fibers. Therefore, the high temperature binder would not influence the sample porous structure. The alumina/silica composite fibrous ceramic exhibited a higher compression and rebound ratio than the alumina fibrous ceramic due to its excellent skeletal structure.