Application of taguchi methodology on the preparation of mullite precursor by hydrolysis method

Abstract EN

This paper deals with application of Taguchi methodology for the preparation of an important ceramic (mullite) material by hydrolysis method at low temperature.

The study aims at production of the greatest yield quantity from the reaction between aluminum nitrate nona-hydrate and siliconethoxide to obtain mullite precursor (3Al2O3.2SiO2).

Three factors were considered to estimate their effects on the quantity of the product yield.

These factors are the reactants concentration (factor A), reacting medium temperature (factor B) and pH (factor C).

Three levels for each factor were considered (A: 1, 2 and 3 wt.% mullite solids), (B: 50, 60 and 70°C) and (pH: 4, 6 and 8).

Three way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and signal to noise ratio (S/N) based on a higher value is a better formula, with an orthogonal array L9 for the design of experiments (DOE) were considered.

(S/N)HB, explains that the conditions that maximize the production are; concentration of 3%, reaction temperature 70°C and pH 6.

ANOVA shows that both concentration and pH are significant factors for all confidence levels 90, 95 and 99% while temperature is significant only at 90 and 95% confidence levels.