Morphological and structural evaluation of spark plasma sintered calcium silicate ceramics

Calcium silicate ceramics were successfully prepared at various temperatures by spark plasma sintering technique (SPS) using two different compositions, and their morphological and structural characteristics were thoroughly analyzed and compared by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, and apparent density measurements. The effect of the sintering method and temperature on microstructural properties has also been studied. The sintered samples prepared by SPS through a heat input of 800 degrees C showed the highest densification as results 800 degrees C was suggested as optimum sintering temperature. Different phases presented in pseudo-wollastonite, wollastonite, and triclinic Ca3(SiO4)O have been observed in the case of 50C50C with lowest porosity similar to 6%$\sim \;6\% $ and highest density 2.6 g/cm3, whereas the composition 10C90S resulted in a fully amorphous material presented in granular microstructure with density of 1.7 g/cm3. Schematic view of calcium silicate preparationimage