Study of 4.5%mol Y sub(2)O sub(3)-Doped ZrO sub(2) with Submicrometer Grain Size

The aim of this study was to obtain 4.5%mol Y sub(2)O sub(3)-doped ZrO sub(2) dense with submicrometer grain size and studying the effects of using oxygen flow during calcination in the electrical properties of bodies sintered. The powders were synthesized by the Pechini method. After synthesis, the resins were dried and the calcinations were performed in air and in oxygen flow at 600[degrees]C for 2 h. The powders were pressed with 1600 MPa and sintered by Two Step Sintering (TSS) at 1500[degrees]C / 5 min and 1200[degrees]C, 1300oC, 1400[degrees]C, remaining at these temperatures for 2 and 10 hours. The sinterized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, apparent density, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy. The apparent densities were greater than 94% for all conditions of calcination and sintering. The value of the activation energy was 0.7eV for the grain and 0.9 eV for the grain boundaries.