Effect of SiCp Addition on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZTA Ceramics by Microwave Sintering

The effects of SiCp addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZTA ceramics was investigated by microwave sintering. Partially stabilized zirconia（3Y-ZrO2）nanopowder containing SiCp was prepared by microwave pyrolysing precursor which was was achieved by co-precipitation method. The powders of alumina, yttria partially stabilized zirconia containing SiCp were mixed to prepare ZTA ceramics green body by die pressing and cold isostatic pressing and subsequently sintered at the range of 1350°C-1550°C for 30min by microwave. XRD revealed that 3Y-ZrO2/SiC powder contained more tetragonal phase than 3Y-ZrO2 powder which was also confirmed by SEM and particle size distribution. The phenomenon was because of SiCp forming the microwave heating spot that promoted pyrolysis progress when 3Y-ZrO2/SiC powder was prepared by microwave heating. Microstructure showed that the grain of ZTA ceramics had directional growth by microwave sintering. SiCp firstly absorbed microwave that made more uniform sintering of ZTA ceramics and caused local oriented growth of zirconia and alumina. Thus, the bending strength of ZTA ceramics was higher than ZTA without SiCp. The ladder type heating mode of microwave sintering ZTA ceramics reduced relatively sintering time by 20min due to the addition of SiCp.Introduction