Densification of nanostructured YSZ green compacts

Conventional and microwave sintering experiments have been performed on nanocrystalline yttria partially stabilised zirconia (Y-PSZ) green compacts produced by die pressing and slurry casting. Whilst one of the nanopowders used developed spherical inclusions measuring 1 – 4 μm in diameter during sintering, the combination of microwave sintering and the second nanopowder yielded sintered bodies of >97% of theoretical density and with an avConventional and microwave sintering experiments have been performed on nanocrystalline yttria partially stabilised zirconia (Y-PSZ) green compacts produced by die pressing and slurry casting. Whilst one of the nanopowders used developed spherical inclusions measuring 1 – 4 μm in diameter during sintering, the combination of microwave sintering and the second nanopowder yielded sintered bodies of >97% of theoretical density and with an average grain size of 140 nm.