Further investigation on the effects of temperature and energetic ionizing radiation on monoclinic zirconia refractory

Several measurements have been undertaken on monoclinic zirconia refractory comprising the temperature dependence of DC electrical conductivity, infrared (IR absorption spectra) and Cu-K sub(α) X-ray diffraction patterns (XRDP) before and after exposure to various absorbed gamma doses (105 - 108 rad). Promising results are obtained which hold good with one another explaining the interaction mechanism of ionizing radiation with monoclinic zirconia investigated. From conductivity measurements, the activation energies for carrier liberation are evaluated. The IR absorption spectra measurements are proved to be more sensitive and fast tool to detect the radiation damage than by X-ray diffraction method. (author)