High temperature properties of MDF composite based on calcium aluminate cement and polyvinyl alcohol

The macro-defect-free composites belong to the well-known group of promising materials consisting of inorganic binder and organic polymer. MDF composites exhibit unusual mechanical properties, especially the flexural strength that can reach over 200 MPa. Moreover, the MDF composites based on calcium aluminate cement have a good temperature resistance because of the Al₂O₃ content in the cement. This paper deals with the preparation and high temperature characterization of MDF composite based on calcium aluminate cement combined with polyvinyl alcohol that could enable its utilization as a refractory material in industrial kilns. The composition of the MDF mixture has been optimized for an easy high-shear processing and flexural strength of the resulting 7-days cured material has been studied under laboratory condition and after heating at 240, 300, 600, 1,000, and 1,500 °C. The structure changes during the heating have been observed by SEM and the course of processes during the heating has been investigated by TG–DTA–EGA, TMA and heating microscopy.