Diopside - a raw material for high-frequency ceramics

Diopside was evaluated as a replacement raw material for talc in the production of steatite ceramics. Mineral and chemical compositions were determined. Complex thermographic analysis showed that during the heating of diopside rock there were no typical endothermic or exothermic effects to the fusion point of 1390 C. The shrinkage and weight loss curves had practically rectilinear characteristics. Thermodynamic analysis was used to study the stability of diopside during heating and the potential for reactions was evaluated using the Gibbs energy values. The action of high temperatures on the composition of diopside-clay-quartz sand were assessed. The addition of clay to the diopside reduced the temperature of formation of the liquid phase.