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Analytical TEM of grain boundary phases in yttria-zirconia ceramics

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6512006

Yttria-zirconia ceramics have a broad range of applications, from use as structural materials (tetragonal zirconia) to ionic conductors (cubic zirconia). Similar to many ceramic materials, these zirconia ceramics often contain small amounts of amorphous silicate phases at grain boundaries and multiple grain junctions. These phases are a result of impurities, introduced during processing or from the original raw material, or are deliberate additions to aid in the densification via liquid phase sintering. Despite the universality of these grain boundary phases, as of yet little work has been undertaken to understand their effect on the microstructural development, chemistry, and physical properties of the materials. We report here our results on analyzing a series of yttria doped zirconia ceramics to which deliberate additions of various glass phases have been added. The addition of various glass phases has been observed to have profoundly different effects on grain growth and chemical composition of yttria-zirconia ceramics. These effects can be correlated directly with the solubility of the ceramic constituents in the various amorphous phases, as determined by analytical TEM.

Research Organization:
Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science; Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6512006
Report Number(s):
CONF-870862-8; ON: DE87010400
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English