Fabrication and characterization of Li4SiO4-Li2TiO3 composite ceramic pebbles using extrusion and spherodization technique

The effect of different amount of Li2TiO3(LT) (0-15 wt%) addition on the properties of composite Li4SiO4 (LS) ceramic pebbles were studied. The Li4SiO4-Li2TiO3 composite powder was prepared in-situ using solid state method at a calcination temperature as low as 800 degrees C. The composite pebbles were fabricated using a cost-effective and simple technique called extrusion-spherodization. The sintered pebbles were characterized for density, grain size, pore size distribution, crush load and moisture stability. The density of Li4SiO4 composite pebbles was improved for LS-5 wt% LT in comparison to LS pebbles when fired at 1000 degrees C. Moreover, the LS grain size in the composite pebbles was reduced (5.8 mu m) in comparison to LS pebbles. We also found that the average crush load value of the LS-5 wt%LT composite pebbles had been improved by nearly 100% (33 N) to that of the pure LS pebbles (17 N). The LS-5 wt% LT pebbles showed improvement in stability to moisture.