Preparation, Microstructure and Properties of ZrO2 Gradient Porous Ceramics by Freeze-Casting Process
The ZrO2gradient porous ceramics were prepared by a novel freeze-casting process. The porous structure of the ZrO2ceramics was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And the porosity and compressive strength were also measured. Experimental results indicated that the porous structure of the specimens was remarkably affected by the sintering temperature. The dendritic pores were obtained after sintered at 1300 °C. The porosity and compressive strength of the specimen were 56.79% and 4.37 MPa, respectively. As the sintering temperature reached to 1500 °C, a lamellar structure was obtained on the cross-section of the specimen. Meanwhile, the porosity decreased to 26.77% and the compressive strength increased to 8.26 MPa. The ceramics can be divided subsequently into three distinctive zones along the solidification direction, i.e. lamellar zone, transition zone and cellular zone.