| abstract |
A body is disclosed which is at least about 90% by weight cordierite, and has a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 16×10 -7 /°C. from about 25° C. to about 1000° C. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating the body. Raw materials are selected to form a nominal composition consisting essentially of in percent by weight about 11.5 to about 16.5 MgO, about 33.0 to about 41.0 Al 2 O 3 , and about 46.5 to about 53 SiO 2 . The raw materials can be a combination of silica and magnesium aluminate spinel, a combination of silica, magnesium aluminate spinel, and a MgO yielding component, or a combination of silica, magnesium aluminate spinel, and a Al 2 O 3 yielding components. The raw materials are provided absent of clay and talc. The raw materials are blended with an effective amount of vehicle and forming aids to impart plastic formability and green strength thereto form a plastic mixture. The raw materials are formed into a green body which is dried and fired at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to form the cordierite body. |