Cordierite is an
alumina-
magnesia-
silica compound widely used as a thermal
shock resistant material due to its high thermal
shock resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), low dielectric constant, and good electrical insulation. However, its narrow sintering temperature range and low mechanical strength hinder its application in ceramic heaters. Although
mullite shows excellent thermal and chemical stability, heat resistance, and mechanical strength, it has the disadvantages of high sintering temperatures (1600-1700 °C) and poor thermal
shock resistance. In this study, a composite phase was prepared by mixing cordierite and
mullite to expand the narrow sintering temperature range of cordierite and adjust its CTE to be similar to that of Si. Furthermore, Y₂O₃ was added to reduce the sintering temperature and to increase the mechanical strength. Therefore, the composite showed the highest density of 2.5 g/cm³ at 1380 °C when the ratio of
mullite to cordierite was 20 wt%. When 11 wt% Y₂O₃ was added to this composition, the highest density was 2.8 g/cm³ for a sintering temperature of 1320 °C, and the mechanical strength was relatively good as 180 MPa of 3-points bending strength was comparatively good. The CTE was 2.6×10-6.K-1, which was similar to that of Si.