Effect of Ion-Exchange on the Mechanical Properties of Everyday Magnesia Porcelain

Abstract

This study focused on developing high-strength magnesia porcelain using a base composition of natural ceramic materials including Longyan kaolin, Guangfeng black talc, Haicheng calcined talc, and Xiushui potassium feldspar. The magnesia porcelain matrix was strengthened by the ion-exchange method. Subsequently, the effects of exchange temperature and duration on the distribution of K+ in ceramics, as well as the flexural strength, hardness, and fracture toughness of the ceramics were studied. The results showed that when the samples were exchanged at 450°C for 5 h, the flexural strength reached 182.22 ± 6.91 MPa, which was 20.53% higher than that of the unexchanged samples. The hardness reached 8.81 GPa, which was 10.82% higher than that of the unexchanged samples. Moreover, the fracture toughness was 8.94% higher than that of the unexchanged samples, achieving a value of 1.95 MPa⋅m1/2.

Keywords: Magnesia porcelain, ion-exchange, prestress reinforcement, flexural strength, hardness, fracture toughness