Influence of fly ash and steam on microstructure and mechanical properties of oxide bonded porous SiC ceramics

Ceramic filters specially SiC filters are used in advanced coal combustion and gasification processes to remove fine dust particles from the fuel gas at high temperatures and high pressure for protection of turbine blades and other downstream components from corrosion and erosion and to meet the environmental regulations. Processing of corrosion resistant porous SiC ceramics at low temperature using a simple technique is still challenging. In this study oxide bonded porous SiC ceramics were synthesized by cost effective method. The corrosion behaviour of SiC ceramic filter materials in presence of steam, coal ash and both coal ash and steam was investigated at 1000 °C for 96–240 h. The apparent changes in mass, porosity and density with corrosion duration and environment were recorded. Finally SEM, XRD and mechanical tests of the corroded samples were carried out. The corrosion test results indicated water vapour is the perpetrator for strength degradation.