Mechanical and microstructural characteristics and casted and sintered alumina and partially stabilized zirconia

To investigate the complex interrelationships between the characteristics of powders and the corresponding densified samples, submicronic alumina and partially stabilized zirconia powders were used as starting materials. The powders were previously treated in order to eliminate hard agglomerates to which were ascribed defects and flaws in green and sintered bodies. Further possible agglomerations were avoided using the forming techniques like slip casting in gypsum molds and pressure slip casting at 10 MPa; an improved microstructure was noticed if pressure slip casting was used. Extended investigation of powder treatments and slip processing allowed to obtain the green and sintered bodies with extremely fine and homogeneous microstructure and superior physical and mechanical properties. In this way the practical contribution to reach a high quality and reliability potential of structural ceramics was given