Influence of mechanical activation on structural and electrical properties of sintered MgTiO3 ceramics

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the influence of mechanical activation on the MgCO3-TiO2 system. Mixtures of MgCO3-TiO2 were mechanically activated for 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes in a planetary ball mill and after that sintered at 1100°C for 1h. XRD analyses were performed in order to give information about the phase composition and to determine a variety of microstructure parameters using Scherrer's method. Also, the effect of tribophysical activation and sintering process on microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Electrical measurements were performed in order to determine electrical properties of sintered samples. Our conclusions are that the sample activated for 120 min showed the best electrical properties ( ε r=23.86, Q=233, ρ=0.38) and exhibited the best sinterability.