An Investigation of the Transformation Sequence from Kaolinite to Mullite

카올리나이트의 상전이반응 과정 연구

The transformation sequence of kaolinite to mullite is examined with new electron diffraction data obtained mainly by an energy filtering transmission electron microscope. Kaolinite is transformed finally into mullite and cristobalite through several steps of continuous reactions by heating, which result in metakaolinite, microcrystalline spinel-type phase and amorphous silica. Metakaolinite maintains a short-range order in its structure ven at $920^{\circ}C$. Spinel phase results from a topotactictransformation of metakaolinite apart from the breakdown of metakaolinite structure. the first strong exothermic peak on DTA curve is mainly due to the extraction of amorphous silica from metakaolinite and the gradual nucleation of mullite. Metakaolinite decomposes around$ 940^{\circ}C$ to mullite that doesn't show a clear crystallographic relationship to the parent metakaolinite structure. However, spinel phase produced previously is maintained. The initially formed spinel and mullite phases are suggested to be Al-rich, but progressively gain Si in their structures at higher temperatures. Spinel phase decomposes completely through a second weak exothermic reaction promoting the growth of mullite, and crystallization of amorphous silica to cristobalite.