Sintering-Driven Evolution of Phase, Microstructure, and Microstrain in Perlite-Containing Ceramics

Authors : Büşra Tansu Ceylan, Yunus Emre Benkli

Pages : 861-877

Doi:10.53501/rteufemud.1778513

View : 46 | Download : 104

Publication Date : 2025-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this study, ceramic samples with perlite additions in the range of 0–50% were sintered at 1050, 1150, and 1250 °C to investigate their effects on phase stability, microstructural evolution, and microstrain. The XRD patterns revealed that the quartz-dominant phase environment was preserved, and the broad amorphous hump at 2θ ≈ 8–16° persisted in all groups. Scherrer analysis indicated that crystallite size reached its maximum (11–12 nm) in samples containing 10–20% perlite at 1150 °C, whereas it decreased to as low as 2–3 nm at ≥40% perlite additions at 1250 °C. The Williamson–Hall method demonstrated a pronounced increase in microstrain at 1250 °C, peaking particularly around 40% perlite. SEM-based dark-field (%) analysis showed more compact and homogeneous structures at medium additions (20–40%), while higher additions tended to cause structural heterogeneity. Furthermore, microhardness measurements supported the observed structural trends. Overall, the findings suggest that the optimum microstructural features (10–20% perlite at 1150 °C) were achieved through low microstrain, high crystallinity, and balanced crystallite size, while excessive perlite additions under advanced sintering conditions disrupted the morphology. These results contribute to defining the optimum perlite ratio in ceramic body design.
Keywords : Kristalinlik indeksi, Kristalit boyutu, Mikrogerinim, Perlit katkılı seramikler, Sinterleme

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