Abstract
Mullite powders were synthesized from the common solution of aluminum sulfate and sodium silicate solutions by the emulsion-hot kerosene technique. The reaction temperature and mechanism for mullitization and the characteristics of synthesized mullite powders were investigated. The effect of Na components introduced from sodium silicate solution on the physical property and microstructure of sintered mullite was also examined. It was proved that mullites were formed at 75$0^{\circ}C$ through the reaction mechanism of Na2O.2.2SiO2+3.3Al2(SO4)3longrightarrow1.1(3Al2O3.2SiO2)+Na2SO4+8.9SO3. Synthetic mullite powders consisted of the compositiion of 3Al2O3.2SiO2 and showed highly agglomeration of hollow spherical particles of 1${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ diameter. The density and fracture toughness of sintered mullites were somewhat reduced because of the effect of a very small amount of residual Na components.