DYNAMICS OF STRUCTURAL-PHASE STATES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE Zr[O.sub.2] DURING SINTERING IN A CONSTANT MAGNETIC FIELD

The structure, the phase composition, and the dynamics of phase transformations of nanosystems based on zirconium dioxide Zr[O.sub.2](CaO) synthesized by the plasma-chemical method are studied. In order to lower the sintering temperatures and improve the physical and mechanical properties of the ceramics, the Zr[O.sub.2]-CaO nanocrystalline system is subjected to activation sintering in an external magnetic field. A constant magnetic field inside the furnace volume is created by a toroidal coil with a special symmetrized winding. The ceramics sintered in a constant magnetic field of B = 0.02-1 T with a given [C.sub.3] symmetry at 1200-1400[degrees]C exhibits improved physical and mechanical characteristics and more perfect crystalline microstructures. Keywords: magnetic field, sintering, microstructure, zirconia ceramics.