Rapid sintering of nanocrystalline 8 mol.%Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 by high-frequency induction heating method

Using a high-frequency induction-heating sintering (HFIHS) method, nanocrystalline 8 mol.%Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 was obtained from ultra fine powders. The observed advantages of this process include very quick densification to near theoretical density and prohibition of grain growth in nano-structured materials. Nearly fully dense nanocrystalline 8 mol.%Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2, with a relative density of up to 99.8%, could be obtained with simultaneous application of 100 MPa pressure and an induced current within 10 min of sintering time without significant change in grain size. The influences of the sintering temperature and the mechanical pressure on the final density and grain size of the products were investigated. The hardness and fracture toughness of the dense ZrO2 ceramics produced by HFIHS were investigated.