The Effects of Additives on the Fracture Toughness of Magdol

Abstract

<p> The effects of small additions of Fe2O3, GeO2, Ta2O5, V2O5, TiO2, and SiO2 on the microstructure and fracture toughness of magnesia enriched doloma were investigated. Effects of up to 5% additive oxides on grain growth and sintering in MgO and CaO were determined in preliminary tests. One percent additions were made to 40%, 60% and 80% MgO dolomas and the fracture toughness at temperatures up to 1500°C determined using the single edge notched beam specimen. Fracture surfaces were studied on the scanning electron microscope to determine fracture mode. Silica and Ta2O5 doped material showed high toughness at 1500°C possibly due to microcracks, while TiO2 resulted in formation of a viscous grain boundary film producing high toughness at 1300°C followed by a rapid decline by 1500°C. In undoped samples increases in MgO resulted in the appearance of a toughness peak near 1300°C. This was attributed to grain boundary segregation of impurities.</p>