Formation of Yttria Aluminium Garnet by Microwave Sintering

Polycrystalline yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) ceramic has been prepared using microwave sintering. Micron-sized of Al2O3 and Y2O3 powders were mixed through in house fabrication mixer for 24 hours before calcined at 1100 °C and palletization process. The effect of sintering parameters on the microstructures was observed at various and holding times. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out to determine and quantify phase transformation with respect to these parameters. It was found that three phases namely YAM (Y4Al2O9), YAP (YAlO3) and YAG have been identified. While both grain sizes and density of sintered samples were found increased from 1.4 μm to 2.46 μm and 90% to 98%, respectively. Therefore, microwave sintering has a significant effect on the densification behavior of YAG.