Sintering properties of ZrO2-3 Mol % Y2O3 obtained from mixture of nano and microcrystalline powders

The polymeric precursor route based on the Pechini process was used to prepare a mixture of nano and microcrystalline powders. The zirconia powder was stabilized with 3 mol% of yttria. Powder characteristics were evaluated by the BET technique determined the specific area and the BJH method supplied the pore size distribution. The X-ray diffraction results and SEM observations were carried out to characterize both the powder mixture and the microstructures of the ceramic bodies. The sintering behavior shown in this work was studied by dilatometric experiment, being considered the shrinkage rate and densification of the microstructure.