Effect of MnO₂ on the properties of mullite-based ceramics

Low-density mullite-based ceramic proppants were prepared from recycled coal fly ash, bauxite, and additives (feldspar, talcum, BaCO₃, and MnO₂). The effects of MnO₂ content and sintering temperature on properties and morphologies of resultant proppants were investigated. Results showed that the performance of proppants have approved significantly at sinter temperature around 1380°C when the content of MnO₂ equals to 4 wt %, such as low apparent density(2.70 g cm^-3) and low breakage ratio (3.10% under 52 MPa pressure). The low-density mullite-based ceramic proppant therefore is assumed to be a promising proppant material for the hydraulic fracturing production of petroleum.