Yttrium oxide transparent ceramics by low-temperature microwave sintering

Journal Article · Sat Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2012.09.017· OSTI ID:22215676

Luo, Junming ^[1]; Zhong, Zhenchen; Xu, Jilin ^[1]

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1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang 330063 (China)

Graphical abstract: The figure shows the SEM photos of the surfaces of the Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} transparent ceramic samples obtained by microwave sintering and vacuum sintering. It is clearly demonstrated that the grain distribution of the vacuum sintering sample is not uniform with the smallest and the largest particle size at about 2 μm and 15 μm respectively, while the grain distribution of microwave sintering sample is uniform with the average diameter at about 2–4 μm (the smallest reported so far) and with no abnormal growth-up or coarsening phenomenon. We have further found out that the smaller the grain size, the higher the mechanical and optical properties. Display Omitted Highlights: ► The microwave sintering temperature of the sample is lower compared with vacuum. ► The microwave sintering time of the sample is shorter compared with vacuum. ► The mechanical properties of the microwave sintering sample is improved greatly. ► The Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} grain of microwave sintering sample is the smallest reported so far. -- Abstract: Yttrium oxide (Y{sub 2}O{sub 3}) transparent ceramics samples have been successfully fabricated by microwave sintering processing at relatively low temperatures. In comparison with the vacuum sintering processing, Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} transparent ceramics can be obtained by microwave sintering at lower sintering temperature and shorter sintering time, and they possess higher transmittances and mechanical properties. The technologies of low-temperature microwave sintering and the relationships of the microstructures and properties of the specified samples have been investigated in detail. We have found out that the low-temperature microwave sintering technique has its obvious advantages over the conventional methods in manufacturing yttrium oxide transparent ceramics.

• OSTI ID: 22215676
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 47; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CERAMICS
GRAIN SIZE
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PARTICLE SIZE
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SINTERING
SURFACES
YTTRIUM OXIDES