Highly sinterable yttria-doped ceria powder (YO1.5)(x) (CeO2)(1-x) (x = 0.1-0.33) was fabricated by an optimized coprecipitation route. Compacted bodes could be sintered to impermeability at 1200 degrees C and near full density at 1300 degrees C, among the lowest temperatures reported for doped ceria densification, Ceria diffusion is important above 1400 degrees C. Excellent conduction properties were observed: high ionic conductivity (6.5 S m(-1) at 750 degrees C for Ce0.8Y0.2O1.9), low activation energy (0.7 eV) and vanishing grain-boundary resistance. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.