Abstract: The TEOS, stoichiometric magnesium nitrate and aluminum nitrate, and some carbamide were dissolved in the
solution of CH₃CH₂OH-H₂O. The solution was heated at 100℃ and then transformed into gelatinate. The dried gelatinate calcined at high
temperature and a compound of MgO, Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ could be obtained. The powder calcined at different temperatures and the sample sintered at
1350℃ for 2h were examined by using XRD. The X-Ray diffraction studies indicate that the forms of the matrix when heat-treated come through
a progress from amorphous compound to α-cordierite, with the appearance and disappearance of μ-cordierite, spinel and β-SiO₂. The whole
sample sintered at 1350℃ is made of α-cordierite. The highest density of the samples is 99.5%. The SEM micrograph of the sample
shows that the grain is flake. The densification process of pure cordierite ceramics was investigated.

Key words: carbamide, sol-gel, cordierite, sintering