Effect of Microwave Energy on Phase Transformations of Aluminosilicates and Properties of Related Materials

Abstract

This paper presents results of microwave processing of materials consisting of montmorillonite–hydromica clays and diatomite with combined additions based on an aluminum oxide modifier. We have determined the phase composition of fired materials prepared from mixtures before and after microwave processing. After microwave processing, an exothermic phase formation process has been identified in the temperature range 900–980°C. The samples based on bentonite clay and diatomite with a combined aluminum sodium chloride modifier have been found to contain particles less than 10 nm in size between aluminosilicate grains. After firing, the samples activated by microwave processing contain nanoscale inclusions and have enhanced strength.