B.B. Kar, S.Dash, S.M.Mustakim and T.K.Panda
The present study includes the microwave sintering of a class F fly ash available in the nearby power plant. The ash sample was subjected to sintering with addition of an admixture which is a cheap industrial waste along with water. The sintering temperature was varied in the range of 7000C to 10500C. The sintered mass has diametrical tensile strength up to 30 MPa (corresponding diametrical compressive strength will increase 90 MPa) and the densities also increases up to 2.5 r/cm2 g/cm2 when sintered for 25-35 mins. It has been observed that the samples obtained through microwave sintering is denser as compared to the general sintering processes like draft sintering or pan sintering etc. the sintered pellet obtained after microwave treatment are found to be stronger with high tensile strength. The entire study revealed that microwave sintering of Class F flyash could produce a glossier ceramic phase where mullite (Al2Si2O13) and Anorphite are found to be the prominent crystalline phases.