Sintering Time Research Articles

Flash sintering of ZrO2–SnO2–ZrSnO4 composite nanofibers: Fabrication, properties, and biochemical effects in Drosophila melanogaster

ZrO2–SnO2–ZrSnO4 composite nanofibers (CNFs) were fabricated by an electrospinning technique in three different ratios by volume (%v/v). Changing the composition ratio of CNFs affected the temperature and sinter time variation of both the band gap and the flash sintering (FS) phenomenon. FS experiments were used at a current cut-off of 3.77 mA/mm2 under thermal (844–878 °C) and electric field (420 V/mm). Highly dense CNFs were obtained in less than 80 s with a maximum power absorption of 1.58 W/mm3. In addition to the FS process, CNFs were sintered with the conventional sintering (CS) method at 1200 °C for 1 h. As the amount of Sn in the composition (%v/v) increases, the density increases, but the hardness value decreases. The FS process was proven to produce faster, denser, and harder material than CS.Long-term and permanent results are obtained by designing biocompatible nanocomposite materials in health. However, determining the long-term effects of CNFs, which are considered non-toxic, is necessary. Drosophila melanogaster female food was covered with these different v/v% ratios CNFs (ZrSn, Zr2Sn; 2ZrSn) and contact by life span: The effects were evaluated on movement, weight, egg production, longevity, and antioxidant system (Superoxide dismutase-SOD, catalase-CAT, glutathione-GSH, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil-DPPH). It can be said that Zr2S CNFs were not toxic by not changing the life span, egg production, climbing, and biochemical parameters of the fly. However, it was determined that CNFs used in ZrSn and 2ZrSn ratios slightly reduced the behavioral (movement and longevity) and antioxidant activities (SOD and CAT) of the individual.

Effect of sintering time on the characteristics of YBCO coated-conductor joints using nano-silver paste

Jointing YBa2Cu3O7-z (YBCO) superconducting coated-conductor (CC) tapes is becoming increasingly significant for magnet applications because of the limited length of single tapes. In this work, YBCO CC tapes stabilized by silver were connected by low-temperature sintering of nano-silver paste. The effect of sintering time and lapped length on the electrical properties of YBCO joints were systematically investigated. And the correlation between microstructure and bonding force of the joints with extending the sintering time was established. It is found that joints sintered within 1∼5 min exhibit relatively lower resistance, while the maximum axial tensile strength at room temperature (RT) was improved with increasing sintering time. Considering the electromechanical properties, ten min is selected as the optimal sintering time for nano-silver paste. The joint by this efficient technology possesses closely connected interface, similar critical current and axial tensile strength (RT) to the single CC tape. The joint resistivity is as low as ∼12.5 nΩ·cm2, which is much less than the traditional soldering joint.

Effect of sintering on stress distribution of thermal barrier coatings for high temperature blade

In the process of long-term high temperature service, thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) will inevitably be sintered, leading to pores healing and porosity decline, which will affect the microstructure and the stability of mechanical properties of TBCs. To understand the relationship between the microstructural changes of sintered TBCs and the mechanical properties, in this work, the cross-sectional microstructure of TBCs at different sintering times were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After calculating the porosity and pore size distribution, two-dimensional (2D) numerical models were developed for five different porosities (16% to 12%) by an improved reconstruction method with layer-by-layer labeling. Based on the results of finite element (FE) analysis after thermal cycling, it was found that the coating’s irregular pore structures lead to stress concentration, which affects the mechanical properties of the coating to a great extent. For the whole TC layer, the level of stresses increases and the absolute value of maximum stress augments significantly by 46% associated with the doubled increase of stress concentration areas with the densification of coating. For the local areas of TC layer, the changes in pore morphology led to a more complex variation in local stress fields. At the TC/BC interface, the Mises stress level tends to increase with decreasing porosity during sintering. At the TC surface, coatings with lower porosities cause higher stresses near this region. The insights gained from the numerical results contribute to a better understanding of the failure behavior of real TBCs systems and help to further remedy the deficiencies and difficulties of the experimental work.

Development and characterization of Al2O3/SrAl12O19 reinforced zirconia with high fracture toughness and low-temperature degradation-resistant for dental applications

The low fracture toughness and sensitivity to low-temperature degradation (LTD) are the primary reasons for the suboptimal long-term performance of dental zirconia. Composite ceramics of zirconia have gained popularity due to their ability to combine the benefits of various reinforcements. In this study, Al2O3-SrAl12O19-3Y/4Y/5Y-ZrO2 composite ceramics were fabricated using the Pechini method, and the optimal sintering temperature and time were investigated. The relative density, microstructure, grain size, mechanical properties, and LTD resistance of the samples were characterized. The results indicated that the composite achieved optimal performance when sintered at 1500°C for 3 hours. Al2O3 and SrAl12O19 primarily influence the properties of the zirconia composite ceramics by modulating their density and grain size. With an increase in the content of Al2O3 and SrAl12O19, the relative density first increases and then decreases, while the grain size exhibits an inverse trend, resulting in an initial increase followed by a decrease in fracture toughness. Additionally, the rate of increase in the m-phase fraction of the zirconia composite slowed down, but it reached a similar level after 64 hours of LTD. The incorporation of 8 vol.% Al2O3 and 8 vol.% SrAl12O19 into 3Y-ZrO2 resulted in a ceramic composite with the highest fracture toughness values and acceptable LTD sensitivity, measured at 5.23 ± 0.25 MPa·m1/2 and 48.35 ± 5.70% m-phase (LTD 64 hours), respectively. This composite also exhibited high bending strength (990.09 MPa) and hardness (16.52 GPa), making it a promising alternative to conventional 3Y-TZP ceramics commonly used in dentistry.

Research on the Preparation of Zirconia Coating on Titanium Alloy Surface and Its Tribological Properties

Titanium alloys have been widely used in aerospace and other fields due to their excellent properties such as light weight and high strength. However, the extremely poor tribological properties of titanium alloys limit their applications in certain special working conditions. In order to improve the tribological properties of titanium alloys, the zirconia coatings were prepared on the surface of a TC4 titanium alloy using the discharge plasma sintering method in this article. The influence of sintering parameters on properties such as density, adhesion, hardness, and phase composition, as well as tribological properties (friction coefficient, wear rate) were investigated, and the influence mechanism of the coating structure on its mechanical and frictional properties was analyzed. The results showed that, with the increase in sintering temperature, the density, bonding strength, and hardness of the zirconia coating were significantly improved. The zirconia coating prepared at a sintering temperature of 1500 °C and a sintering time of 20 min had the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate, which are 0.33 and 6.2 × 10−8 cm3·N−1·m−1, respectively. Numerical analysis showed that the increase in temperature and the extension of time contributed to the extension of the diffusion distance between zirconia and titanium, thereby improving the interfacial adhesion. The influence mechanism of different sintering temperatures and sintering times on the wear performance of zirconia coatings was explained through Hertz contact theory.

Effects of Cu/SnAgCu Powder Fraction and Sintering Time on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Transient Liquid Phase Sintered Joints.

The effects of the sintering duration and powder fraction (Ag-coated Cu/SnAgCu) on the microstructure and reliability of transient liquid phase sintered (TLPS) joints are investigated. The results show that two main intermetallic compounds (IMCs, Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn) formed in the joints. The Cu6Sn5 ratio generally decreased with increasing sintering time, Cu powder fraction, and thermal treatment. The void ratio of the high-Cu-fraction joints decreased and increased with increasing sintering and thermal stressing durations, respectively, whereas the low-Cu-fraction counterparts were stable. We also found that the shear strength increased with increasing thermal treatment time, which resulted from the transformation of Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn. Such findings could provide valuable information for optimizing the TLPS process and assuring the high reliability of electronic devices.

Elastoplastic nanoindentation behaviors of sintered nano-silver under various sintering parameters

Purpose This study aims to characterize the mechanical properties of sintered nano-silver under various sintering processes by nano-indentation tests. Design/methodology/approach Through microstructure observations and characterization, the influences of sintering process on the microstructure evolutions of sintered nano-silver were presented. And, the indentation load, indentation displacement curves of sintered silver under various sintering processes were measured by using nano-indentation test. Based on the nano-indentation test, a reverse analysis of the finite element calculation was used to determine the yielding stress and hardening exponent. Findings The porosity decreases with the increase of the sintering temperature, while the average particle size of sintered nano-silver increases with the increase of sintering temperature and sintering time. In addition, the porosity reduced from 34.88%, 30.52%, to 25.04% if the ramp rate was decreased from 25°C/min, 15°C/min, to 5°C/min, respectively. The particle size appears more frequently within 1 µm and 2 µm under the lower ramp rate. With reverse analysis, the strain hardening exponent gradually heightened with the increase of temperature, while the yielding stress value decreased significantly with the increase of temperature. When the sintering time increased, the strain hardening exponent increased slightly. Practical implications The mechanical properties of sintered nano-silver under different sintering processes are clearly understood. Originality/value This paper could provide a novel perspective on understanding the sintering process effects on the mechanical properties of sintered nano-silver.

In situ SR-CT experiment of Al–SiC microwave rapid sintering: Formation and regulation of rapid densification

SiC reinforced Al (SiC/Al) composites have outstanding advantages in different fields including aerospace. However, the current mechanical and chemical properties of Al–SiC composites are still not up to expectations because of the problems such as wettability, interface reaction, sintering time and SiC size and distribution. Microwave rapid sintering has a promising prospect for the preparation of high performance Al–SiC, however, the lack of process observation leads to the unclear relationship of energy, microstructure and material properties. Therefore microwave rapid sintering of Al–SiC has not been fully explored and applied. In the present paper, the whole process of Al–SiC microstructure evolution was observed accurately by in situ SR-CT experiment during microwave rapid sintering process. Based on the joint analysis of energy-structure-performance, it was found that the spherical SiC located at the neck of Al particles in the microwave field effectively increased the diffusion rate of Al–SiC samples, which inhibited the growth of grains and the densification process was basically completed in a short time. It was revealed that a region with high electric field strength and uniform distribution formed due to SiC with different structural characteristics, thus achieved the rapid densification of the Al–SiC in microwave sintering. The formation and regulation mechanism of rapid densification of Al–SiC during microwave rapid sintering were researched by the relationship between energy-structure and performance, which would provid more understanding for the preparation of high-performance Al–SiC based on microwave rapid sintering technology, and provide the possibility for the preparation of more functional materials.

Fabrication of 3YSZ with single tetragonal phase by ultrafast high-temperature sintering

3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) has been widely used as structural ceramics because of the high toughness of the tetragonal phase. However, since the conventional 3YSZ is sintered in the temperature range of the tetragonal-cubic phase coexistence region for several hours, Y3+ distributed inhomogeneously, and Y3+-rich regions undergo phase transformation into thermodynamically stable cubic phase. As a result, these 3YSZ usually exhibit tetragonal and cubic dual phases. Thus, suppressing the Y3+ redistribution during sintering is a key to prevent the phase transformation. Here, a fully dense 3YSZ with single tetragonal phase was successfully sintered by shorting sintering time using the ultrafast high-temperature sintering (UHS) method. The crystal structure, microstructure, and Y3+ distribution were investigated by XRD, SEM and STEM-EDS. We show that compared with the conventionally sintered 3YSZ, UHS effectively suppress Y3+ redistribution. The present results indicate UHS will be powerful to sinter ceramics in a non-equilibrium state.

Internal and external variables influencing microwave dielectric properties of (1-x)Mg(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3-xSrTiO3 ceramics

The physical and chemical state of ceramics are very important for their microwave dielectric properties, especially at high frequencies above GHz. Therefore, the microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of (1-x)Mg(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O3–xSrTiO3((1-x)MZT–xST) ceramics were investigated by controlling external variables. The compounds were synthesized through a solid-state reaction mechanism and sintered at relatively low temperatures. A cavity resonator method was employed to analyze the microwave dielectric properties. Optimal sintering conditions significantly enhanced the microwave dielectric performance of MZTST ceramics. The addition of ZnO substantially reduced the sintering temperature and equilibrium sintering time, enabling the activation of optimal conditions and the achievement of temperature-stable microwave dielectrics like NP0: εr ∼20.16 at 10 GHz, Qf of ∼81839 GHz at 7.93 GHz, and τf close to zero (∼0.12 ppm/°C). This enhanced performance was attributed to the optimization of internal variables, including enhanced relative density, homogeneous grain size, optimal phase fraction, and chemical ordering.

Optimization mechanisms of density and quality factor of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 ceramics by adding CaO–B2O3–ZnO glass

In this study, Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (BMT) ceramics added with different amounts of CaO–B2O3–ZnO (CBZ) glass were prepared through the solid-state sintering route. The sintering behavior, microstructure, phase composition and dielectric properties of the BMT ceramics added with CBZ glass were investigated. The addition of CBZ glass decreased the sintering temperature of BMT ceramics by over 300 °C, resulting in a highly dense microstructure without interacting with the main BMT phase. The lower sintering temperature led to small ceramic grains and caused a decrease in the Q × f value. Prolonging the sintering time improved the ordering degree of cations on the B-site in BMT ceramic, leading to an enhancement in the Q × f value. The BMT ceramic added with 0.4 wt% CBZ glass exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties: εr = 24.19, Q × f = 115,100 GHz, τf = 9.84 ppm/°C, after sintering at 1400 °C for 12 h.

Contrasting effects of various factors upon the properties of foam ceramics and the mechanisms of crystalline phase reconstruction and microstructure regulation

The application prospects of foam ceramics are closely linked to their properties; however, the influence mechanism of the raw material composition and sintering parameters on the properties of foam ceramics remains obscure. In this study, the properties of SiO2–Al2O3–Na2O–K2O-based foam ceramics at various sintering temperatures and sintering times, and with different SiC contents, ratios of Al2O3 to SiO2, and fluxing agent contents were determined. Significant discrepancies in the variation trends and strengths of different influencing factors were observed. To interpret these phenomena, the crystalline phases and microstructure of the foam ceramics were analyzed, and the results indicated that their compressive strength was jointly controlled by their crystal phases and microstructure; however, other properties depended only on the microstructure. Furthermore, analysis of the phase diagram and sintering process revealed that the chemical reactions between the basic materials varied, as the ratio of Al2O3 to SiO2 and the fluxing agent contents were varied, resulting in differences in the phase transition temperature, liquid phase content, and crystalline phases. Moreover, the sintering temperature, sintering time, and SiC content affected the microstructure of the foam ceramics by changing the liquid viscosity, reaction time, and foaming amount, respectively. Overall, our findings provide a theoretical basis for preparing foam ceramics with excellent properties.

Structure, Microstructure and Magnetocaloric/Thermomagnetic Properties at the Early Sintering of MnFe(P,Si,B) Compounds

Minimizing the sintering time while ensuring high performances is an important optimization step for the preparation of magnetocaloric or thermomagnetic materials produced by powder metallurgy. Here, we study the influence of sintering time on the properties of a Mn0.95Fe1P0.56Si0.39B0.05 compound. In contrast to former reports investigating different annealing temperatures during heat treatments of several hours or days, we pay special attention to the earliest stages of sintering. After ball-milling and powder compaction, 2 min sintering at 1100 °C is found sufficient to form the desired Fe2P-type phase. Increasing the sintering time leads to a sharper first-order magnetic transition, a stronger latent heat, and usually to a larger isothermal entropy change, though not in all cases. As demonstrated by DSC or magnetization measurements, these parameters present dissimilar time evolutions, highlighting the existence of various underlying mechanisms. Chemical inhomogeneities are likely responsible for broadened transitions for the shortest sinterings. The development of strong latent heat requires longer sinterings than those for sharpening the magnetic transition. The microstructure may play a role as the average grain size progressively increases with the sintering time from 3.5 μm (2 min) to 30.1 μm (100 h). This systematic study has practical consequences for optimizing the preparation of MnFe(P,Si,B) compounds, but also raises intriguing questions on the influence of the microstructure and of the chemical homogeneity on magnetocaloric or thermomagnetic performances.

Effect of Ti content on microstructure and mechanical properties of TaMoNbCrTix refractory high-entropy alloy

Refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) hold great promise for applications requiring high-temperature resistance. In this study, TaMoNbCrTix (x = 0, 0.25. 0.5, 0.75, 1) RHEAs were fabricated through mechanical alloying (MA) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The effect of Ti content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of TaMoNbCrTix RHEAs was investigated. The results revealed that the alloys consisted of a body-centred cubic (BCC) matrix and Laves phase, with the addition of Ti promoting the formation of the Ti(O, N) phase. By employing severe deformation of the ball-milled powder, short sintering time, and the inhibition of precipitated phases on grain growth, the resulting RHEAs exhibited ultrafine grains measuring less than 1 μm. As the Ti content increased, the volume fraction of the Laves phase decreased, transitioning from a reticulated to a dispersed distribution. This shift had a positive influence on the ductility of the alloys. Among the studied compositions, TaMoNbCrTi0.75 displayed desirable comprehensive mechanical properties with yield strength, compressive strength, and fracture strain of 2696 MPa, 3098 MPa, and 16.8%, respectively. Notably, the ductility exhibited by TaMoNbCrTi0.75 at room temperature surpassed that of most Cr-containing RHEAs.

Electrical conductivity upon sintering of pure Cu produced by material extrusion additive manufacturing: Effects of pore, grain size, and impurity

This study investigates the development of pores and microstructures at each processing step and sintering conditions in the material extrusion additive manufacturing process, examining their correlation with related physical properties. This is achieved by fabricating copper parts using material extrusion (MEX) and examining the primary factors that impact the electrical characteristics of the MEX parts. Initially, the application of solvent debinding to MEX-produced Cu parts effectively removes a portion of the binder, forming printing-pattern–induced pores and ineffectual pore channels. Subsequently, thermal debinding eliminates the remaining binder and promotes neck formation between the Cu particles. The process proceeds to a subsequent sintering step, where even after the final sintering, some pores remain. These pores are categorized as sintering-induced and printing-pattern–induced pores. The relatively large pore size due to the printing pattern is identified as the main reason for reduced density of MEX parts, especially those influenced by the contour pattern. As the sintering progresses, the grain size increases, with the overall grain size and shape becoming uniform during extended sintering periods. Impurities, specifically carbon and oxygen, are detected in the sintered part, and their concentrations rise with longer sintering times. After examining the variation in porosity, grain size, and impurity content with respect to sintering time, it becomes evident that porosity plays a pivotal role in influencing electrical conductivity. Consequently, the densest 48 h sintered sample, with a relative density of 95.5 %, achieves the highest electrical conductivity at 94.6 % IACS. This demonstrates that MEX can be effectively employed to craft complex-shaped Cu parts with outstanding electrical properties. In summary, densification is crucial for enhancing the electrical properties of Cu parts produced through MEX, achieved by minimizing printing-pattern–induced pores, the primary contributor to density reduction. This study is poised to advance the manufacturing of high-performance, intricate Cu components by providing insights into the development and locations of primary pores through detailed microstructural investigations.

Super thermal insulation SiC aerogel with high elasticity and good adsorption performance prepared by constructing coaxial precursor

Silicon Carbide (SiC) aerogel is a material with 3D network structure, low density, and high-temperature resistance, showing a broad application potential in various areas. It is currently challenging for SiC aerogels to balance the mechanical and high-temperature insulation properties. Here, a novel strategy was implemented for the first time, by constructing coaxial precursors. This structure can achieve in-situ Si-C binding and maximization the reaction sites to achieve fibers growth uniformly. The sintering time is reduced by over 90%. The fatigue resistance and elastic properties of the SiC aerogel were significantly improved. In addition, the uniform nanowire fiber and pore structure enable an ultra-low thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/(m K) at room temperature, 0.082 W/(m K) even at 900 °C, and superior structural stability at 1400 °C. Our strategy provides a feasible approach for the structural design of thermally insulated SiC aerogels with high elastic resilience and good adsorbability.

Flash sintering of lead zirconate titanate ceramics under high voltage at room temperature

Flash sintering has been applied to various ceramics since it was first reported. However, the flash sintering of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) at room temperature has not been accomplished. In this study, flash sintering of PZT piezoelectric ceramics at room temperature was realised for the first time. Subsequent to surface treatment in a low-pressure environment, the sample was flash-sintered at a high voltage in air. The sample became dense rapidly during sintering. The results showed that after 300 s of sintering, the flash-sintered samples had a high density (98.1%) and d33 values (273 pC/N). The d33 is the highest compared with flash sintering of PZT through the furnace temperature of several hundred degree Celsius. Owing to the extremely short sintering time and the absence of heating devices, this method can greatly reduce energy consumption and lead to volatilisation, providing a new method for the rapid preparation of piezoelectric ceramics.

Facile synthesis of CoFeAl-layered double hydroxides activated by peroxymonosulfate for enhanced ciprofloxacin degradation

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have consistently attracted interest in the treatment of pharmaceutical pollutants. However, certain AOPs such as peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation require effective catalysts for enhanced pollutant degradation. Herein, we have engineered a CoFeAl-layered double hydroxide (LDH) catalyst that is reliable and efficient. The objective of this project was to initiate the use of PMS to break down ciprofloxacin (CIP), thus addressing the problem of pharmaceutical contamination. CoFeAl-LDH catalysts were prepared using different high-temperature sintering times, and their catalytic performance and efficiency were observed. In a duration of 60 min, the CIP decomposition rate was found to be 91.4%, accompanied by a removal rate constant (Kobs) of 0.036 min−1; this indicates the high activity and efficiency of the CoFeAl-LDH catalyst. The catalyst additionally showcased a substantial specific surface area and exceptional recyclability, thereby offering valuable understanding into the mechanisms of activation and degradation, and positioning it as a potential contender for applications in pollutant treatment.

Low-Temperature Manufacture of Cubic-Phase Li7La3Zr2O12 Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Batteries by Bed Powder

As the demand for battery technology with enhanced safety and high energy density increases, solid-state batteries are currently attracting attention as a solution to problems such as fire and explosion risks associated with lithium-ion batteries. In this study, experiments were conducted to synthesize and optimize Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), a solid electrolyte that is a key component of lithium-ion batteries with stability and high energy density. Experimental results showed that sintering at a low temperature of 800 °C for 8 h was the optimal synthesis and sintering time. Additionally, the excess lithium-containing bed powder enabled the production of pure cubic-phase LLZO. Through a sintering process that creates a lithium atmosphere on the bottom surface and facilitates lithium replenishment, an additional tunnel was introduced between the specimen and the alumina powder, allowing the bottom surface of the specimen to be exposed to the lithium atmosphere. By manufacturing a uniform cubic electrolyte, the path to manufacturing all-solid-state batteries was opened. These findings provide a new approach to forming cubic-phase LLZO with much higher ionic conductivity than the tetragonal phase at low sintering temperatures.

Protonic and electronic hole conductivity of grain interior and grain boundaries in BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ: Effect from sample processing

BaZr0.9Y0.1O3-δ (BZY10) is a popular composition for the electrolyte in protonic ceramic cells, due to its relatively high proton conductivity, excellent chemical stability, and good compatibility with NiO negatrode substrate during high temperature co-sintering. The microstructure of BZY10 is highly dependent on sample processing, leading to large discrepancy of the electrochemical performance of BZY10 in literature. In this work, three BZY10 samples were prepared by different sample processing and sintering conditions, and the grain interior (bulk) and grain boundary partial conductivities of protons and holes were separated. The sintering processes influenced the transport properties of pristine BZY10 samples significantly, and longer sintering time at high temperature (1650 – 1700 °C) leads to lower proton conductivity in both bulk and grain boundary. However interestingly, longer sintering time resulted in higher ionic transport number of bulk conduction, but lower ionic transport number of grain boundary conduction, possibly due to increasing Ba-deficiency in bulk by longer annealing at high temperature. Besides, adding ZnO into BZY10 decreased the proton conductivity in both bulk and grain boundary, but its ionic transport number of bulk conduction increases. A further analysis based on the theory of space charge layer indicated that adding ZnO leaded to decreased Schottky barrier height in the grain boundary core, and the highest Schottky barrier height was observed in the pristine sample which was sintered for longer time. The results obtained in this work suggest a potential strategy to regulate the transport properties of BZY10 by choosing appropriate approaches for sample processing to control the microstructure and local composition of the polycrystalline BZY10 ceramic electrolyte.