Reaction sintered magnesia rich magnesium aluminate spinel: effect of alumina reactivity

Reaction sintering of magnesia rich magnesium aluminate spinel (MgO 34 wt.%) was done in the temperature range of 1600–1700 °C. Reactivity of constituent alumina was varied by changing the calcination temperature up to 1600 °C. Thermal expansion curves (through dilatometric study) were used to study the effect of alumina reactivity on spinel formation. Final sintered products were characterized by densification, phase analysis, hot strength measurement and microstructural analysis to evaluate the influence of reactivity of alumina on the sintered characteristics.