TITLE:
Comparative Study on Conventional Sintering with Microwave Sintering and Vacuum Sintering of Y2O3-Al2O3-ZrO2 Ceramics
AUTHORS:
Mayur Shukla, Sumana Ghosh, Nandadulal Dandapat, Ashis K. Mandal, Vamsi K. Balla
KEYWORDS:
Ceramics, Zirconia, Sintering, Density, Microstructure, Hardness
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.4 No.2,
February
17,
2016
ABSTRACT: The present investigation demonstrated the comparative studies carried out on conventional, microwave and vacuum sintering of alumina added yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The conventional, microwave and vacuum sintered specimens were characterized by density measurement, XRD, SEM with EDX analysis and hardness evaluation. Microwave sintering was proved to be the best efficient sintering technique with respect to energy and time savings. Enhanced densification was observed for the microwave and vacuum sintered specimens at lower temperatures compared to the conventionally sintered ones. Further, it was observed that the particle size had significant influence on the enhancement of densification. The microwave sintered specimen showed the highest hardness compared to conventional and vacuum sintered specimens.