Zirconium Silicate Dispersion Strengthened Porcelain

A porcelain was prepared with Kaolin clay, potassium feldspar and quartz as raw materials and zirconium silicate as a reinforcing material. The effects of zirconium silicate content, firing temperature and holding time on the properties of porcelain were investigated, and the strengthening mechanism of zirconium silicate particle dispersion on the porcelain was analyzed. The results show that the optimum porcelain reinforcement can be obtained at zirconium silicate content of 6%, firing temperature of 1300 ℃ and holding time of 30 min. The bending strength increases from (58±6) MPa to (106±11) MPa, and the growth rate is 83%. The radial compressive stress and tangential tensile stress are generated in the matrix during the cooling process due to the difference of thermal expansion coefficient between zirconium silicate particles and matrix, resulting in the increased porcelain strength.