Abstract: Taking diatomite as the main material, adjoining sintering additive and binder, spherical diatomite material was obtained by using physical forming and low-temperature roasting. The material was characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that in the process of materials preparation, the crystal transition had not occurred. The specific surface area of materials increases at first then decreases with the increase of calcination temperature. The excellent pore structure of spherical diatomite materials was gained when calcination temperature at 400℃ for 120 min. The high specific surface area, total pore volume and narrow pore-size distribution were 54. 753 m2/g, 0. 1426 cm3/g and 3 nm, respectively.

Key words: diatomite;physical forming;calcination temperature;specific surface area;pore structure