Manufacturing Optically Transparent Thick Zirconia Ceramics by Spark Plasma Sintering with the Use of Collector Pressing

Vladimir Paygin,Sergey Stepanov,Timofei Alishin,Damir Valiev,Maurizio Ferrari,Edgar Dvilis,Alessandro Chiasera,Oleg Khasanov,Vyacheslav Mali,Alexander Anisimov

doi:10.3390/app11031304

Abstract

The efficiency of using the collector pressing scheme in the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) process has been confirmed in improving the optical, physical, and mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics with an increased shape factor. An approach for developing a seal surface and determining the optimal method of increasing pressure and temperature during SPS on this surface was used to optimize the consolidation modes of the materials. It has been shown that transparent/translucent YSZ ceramics with an increased shape factor (14 mm in diameter and up to 5 mm in height, h/d = 0.36) can be successfully fabricated by the SPS technique combined with the collector pressing scheme. The optical properties and microhardness of ceramics obtained using the collector scheme are better to the optical properties of ceramics obtained using the conventional uniaxial pressing scheme.

Highlights

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is a widespread and promising technique for consolidation of nanostructured materials
Spark Plasma Sintering of yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics is satisfactorily described by Equation (1)
The use of a collector pressof YSZ ceramics is satisfactorily described by Equation (1)

Summary

Introduction

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is a widespread and promising technique for consolidation of nanostructured materials. It is widely used for nanostructured materials fabrication such as optical ceramics, composites, and functionally gradient materials for applications in various fields [1]. SPS heating is accomplished by passing a direct current pulse train through the die and sintered material. The use of high current values for the SPS process can significantly reduce the temperature and decrease the sintering time. The technique provides the preservation of the initial phase composition, submicron structure, and a high density of consolidated polycrystalline materials, which is close or equal to the theoretical one [2,3]

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Conclusion