Low temperature densification of zirconia ceramics

摘要

Addition of from about 1.0 to about 15% by weight of a vanadium oxide or boric oxide promoter to a zirconia (ZrO2) powder promotes rapid densification at temperatures below about 1300 DEG C. For example, a density of greater than 92% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of 4% by weight of ZrV2O7 to monoclinic ZrO2 and sintering at 1100 DEG C. for about 24 hours. Sintering at temperatures below about 1150 DEG C. avoids the destructive monoclinic/tetragonal phase transformation and provides for better control of microstructure and composition. A density of greater than 98% of estimated theoretical density can be achieved by addition of from about 2 to about 5% by weight of a boric oxide promoter to stabilized cubic ZrO2 and sintering at about 1200 DEG C. for about 4 hours.