CHEN Shaoyi, LIU Hao, WANG Zhoufu, JIANG Pengcheng, WANG Xitang, MA Yan
(State Key Lab of Refractories and Metallurgy, Wuhan University of Science and Technology,Wuhan 430081,Hubei, China )

Abstract: Synthesis of forsterite by solid phase reaction was carried out with magnesium hydroxide and silica as the main raw materials.The effects of heat treatment temperature and composition on the phase composition, microstructure and basic physical properties of samples were investigated by means of X-Ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. The results show that the forsterite starts to form in 1500 ℃, and the heat treatment temperature increase is favorable to the formation and growth of forsterite. The composition of magnesium-rich can promote the formation of forsterite and inhibit the formation of enstatite. After the diffusion of magnesia,the forsterite precipitates on the surface of the magnesium oxide particles, and grows in the surroundings, and the crystal grains grow smoothly and roundly. When the composition is silicon-rich, enstatite generate firstly, and then around the enstatite gradually transformed into forsterite, grains growth angular, and the composition between the grains is silicon-rich phase.

Key words: forsterite; heat treatment system; microstructure