Sintering, microstructure and electrical properties of doped silica fume/alumina mixtures

The effect of various amounts of manganese oxide as a dopant on the sintering behaviour of alumina/silica fume mixtures is described. Microstructural features along with the phase composition and the electrical properties were investigated. The results showed that the addition of 1.2 mass-% MnO 2 to alumina/silica fume mixture decreased the maturing temperature and improved the resistivity of matured bodies.