Abstract
The sintering behavior of cordierite powders synthesized using a sol-gel method of metal alkoxides Si(OC2H5)4, Al(OC3H71)3 and Mg(OC2H5)2 was investigated. Densification of the powder compacts fabricated using the precursor powders calcined at 900$^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs was improved over the sintering temperature range of 800 to 980$^{\circ}C$. The powder compacts, fabricated using the calcined precursor powders and sintered at 1300$^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs, showed relative density of 97-98%, 3-point bending strength of 120-140Mpa, KIC of 2.4-3.7 Mpam1/2, and thermal expansion coefficient of 1.48-1.66${\times}$10-6/$^{\circ}C$.