Fabrication of Ceramic Composites by Microwave Sintering

• Published in: Glass physics and chemistry 2023-12, Vol.49 (Suppl 1), p.S54-S65
• Main Authors: Mezentseva, L. P., Keskinova, M. V., Osipov, A. V., Sychov, M. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Composites; Diamond pyramid hardness; Fracture surfaces; Glass; Heat treatment; Materials Science; Microwave sintering; Natural Materials; Phase composition; Physical Chemistry; Precursors; Sintering (powder metallurgy); Sol-gel processes; Thermal conductivity; Unit cell; Yttrium oxide; Zirconium dioxide
• ISSN: 1087-6596; 1608-313X
• DOI: 10.1134/S108765962360093X

To prepare 0.5LaPO 4 –0.5ZrO 2 and 0.5LaPO 4 –0.5Y 2 O 3 ceramic composites, a microwave assisted sol-gel procedure for the synthesis of nanosized 0.5LaPO 4 · n H 2 O–0.5ZrO(OH) 2 and 0.5LaPO 4 · n H 2 O–0.5Y(OH) 3 precursor powders was developed. Ceramic composites were prepared by microwave sintering of powders at 1100°C after preliminary heat treatment of precursor powders at 850°C, as well as by conventional stepwise sintering at 1000, 1100 and 1200°C for 24 h. The unit cell parameters of monoclinic LaPO 4 were calculated depending on sintering method and temperature. The values of specific surface area of the samples, Vickers microhardness, and thermal conductivity were determined; fracture surface of ceramic samples was studied. Such a complex study of 0.5LaPO 4 –0.5ZrO 2 and 0.5LaPO 4 –0.5Y 2 O 3 composites is presented for the first time. The influence of sintering method, temperature and addition of zirconia and yttria to LaPO 4 on the resulting composite’s properties, phase composition and type of ceramic fracture surface is discussed.