Sukaina Sahib Mohammed1, Fezaa Shala neda1 and Jafer Fahdel Odah2
1,2Department of Medical Physics, College of Medicine, Al Mustansiriiyah University.
2Department of Medical Physics, College of Science, Al-Karkh University of Science.
*Corresponding Author: sukainsahib@uomustansiriyah.edu.iq
Received 11 Nov. 2025, Accepted 13 Dec. 2025, published 30 Dec. 2025.
AbstractKey wordsDOI
This study investigates the effect of varying SiO2/Al2O3 weight ratios on mullite formation synthesized through a solid-state reaction route. Four samples were prepared using different alumina–silica weight ratios: S1 (2.8 g SiO2, 7.2 g Al2O3), S2 (4.7 g SiO2, 5.3 g Al2O3), S3 (6.4 g SiO2, 3.6 g Al2O3), and S4 (3.7 g SiO2, 6.3 g Al2O3), with each batch weighing 10 g. The mixed powders were calcined at 900 °C to remove moisture and impurities, followed by sintering at 1350 °C to promote mullite crystallization. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of the orthorhombic 3:2 mullite phase, and crystallite sizes were calculated using the Scherrer equation. SEM images showed that increasing SiO2 content enhanced the development of elongated acicular grains due to a transient silica-rich liquid phase and increased Al–Si interdiffusion. Among the prepared compositions, S4 exhibited the highest mullite purity and most developed grain structure. This study demonstrates a simple and cost-effective approach for optimizing mullite synthesis for industrial applications.
Mullite, Solid state reaction, sintering temperature, Alumina, Silica system, structural properties.
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