Synthesis of nanocrystalline sinteractive 3Y-TZP powder in presence of ammonium sulphate and poly ethylene glycol

Nanocrystalline 3 mol.-% yttria doped tetragonal zirconia polycrstal was synthesised by coprecipitation method. Presence of ammonium sulphate (inorganic) and polyethylene glycol (organic) in optimised quantity in the precipitating bath facilitated formation of an easily filterable precipitate. Calcination of this precursor at 800°C yielded soft agglomerated nanocrystalline powder (∼22 nm). Compaction behaviour of the calcined powder as well as pore size distribution of the compact mass indicated formation of soft agglomerate. Owing to its high sinteractivity, this powder could be sintered to ∼95% of its theoretical density (%TD) at temperature as low as 1150°C. At 1200°C, the powder compact densified to >98%TD.