Synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline powders for partially stabilized zirconia ceramics

In this work, wet-chemical methods to obtain ytrria or calcia-doped zirconia powders for partially stabilized zirconia ceramics ale presented. They are based on pyrolisis of nitrate solutions with the addition of citric acid ol glycine as a fuel. Powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, finding that tetragonal and cubic phases are stabilized at room temperature because of the small crystallite size (about 10-20nm). Ceramic samples obtained after uniaxial pressing and sintering in air were characterized by density and Vickers microhardness measurements ill order to evaluate the final material performance. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.