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In situ study on microwave sintering of ZTA ceramic: Effect of ZrO 2 content on densification, hardness, and toughness
Author(s) -
Meunier Christophe,
Zuo Fei,
Peillon Nathalie,
Saunier Sébastien,
Marinel Sylvain,
Goeuriot Dominique
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of the american ceramic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 196
eISSN - 1551-2916
pISSN - 0002-7820
DOI - 10.1111/jace.14658
Subject(s) - materials science , microstructure , sintering , susceptor , cubic zirconia , composite material , ceramic , microwave , fracture toughness , composite number , thermal expansion , grain size , physics , epitaxy , layer (electronics) , quantum mechanics
Better understanding of the effect of multimode‐microwave sintering of zirconia‐toughened alumina ( ZTA ) was investigated. A comparative dilatometric analysis was conducted between conventional and microwave heating processes, to clarify the influence of zirconia on the densification of ZTA under electromagnetic field. The thermal gradient on sample measurements indicates the change to the microwave volumetric heating is improved by zirconia which adsorbs microwave energy better, thus acting as a susceptor. The most beneficial effect on microstructure, toughness, and hardness were observed at the optimal zirconia content of 10 vol%. The results with both microwave and conventional sintering illustrate the strengthening effect on the composite by zirconia. Of special interest, multimode microwave sintering creates a finer homogeneous microstructure, with resulting hardness and toughening comparable to those obtained for conventional sintering, as well as improved densification, and at lower cost.