PRODUCTION OF ZIRCONIA CERAMIC

PURPOSE:To increase mechanical strength, hardness and toughness by molding raw material powder so as to contain CeO2 and MgO in a fixed amt. by sintering and thereafter by heat-treating. CONSTITUTION:A hydrated material is obtd. by coprecipitation method by mixing water-soluble salts of Ce and Mg, and basic salt of Zr, and thereafter dried to obtain a powder. The powder is mixed so as to obtain a desired molar ratio, calcined to powder having >=1m /g BET specific surface area and thereafter, furthermore crushed to obtain zirconia (A) powder having =90% relative density to the theoretical density. Then, the sintered compact (B) is heat-treated at 800-1200 deg.C for 5-20hr to produce zirconia ceramic consisting of 4-12mol% CeO2, 2-7mol% MgO and the remainder ZrO2.