Cordierite ceramic body having low thermal expansion coefficient, process for producing the same, and method of evaluating cordierite composition

摘要

A process for producing a cordierite ceramic body by using a reclaimed cordierite composition for a cordierite ceramic article which has a composition similar to that of the cordierite ceramic body. The process includes the steps of: forming a desired formed body under a pressure by using a starting material which includes the recovered reclaimed cordierite composition, or a mixture of the reclaimed cordierite composition and a fresh cordierite composition; firing the formed body at a temperature between 1280 DEG -1330 DEG C. into a sample of the cordierite ceramic body; measuring a reaction ratio (R) between the amount of protoenstatite and cordierite crystals present in the sample; and formulating the starting material so that the reaction ratio (R) is 0.3 or less.