Abstract
Samples of 3 % yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) ceramics have been sintered to near full density with no appreciable grain growth using an ultra-rapid microwave sintering process. The sintering experiments were carried out on a 24 GHz / 6 kW gyrotron system for microwave processing of materials with automatic process control. By varying the properties of the thermal insulation surrounding the samples it was possible to vary the microwave power required for heating. The final relative density of 3YSZ ceramic samples microwave heated at a rate of 50 °C/min to a temperature of 1400 °C without isothermal hold varied from 91.6 % when the specific absorbed microwave power was 4 W/cm3 to 99.4 % when the specific absorbed microwave power was 90 W/cm3. The specific absorbed power is therefore demonstrated to be the key parameter determining the achievable density in ultra-rapid field-assisted sintering processes.
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