Microstructure and properties of 3Y-TZP ceramic fabricated using PEG temporary binder

3Y-TZP ceramics prepared with uniaxial pressing technology followed by free sintering were investigated. Polyethylene glycols (PEG) with different molecular weight were used for the granules preparation. Green and sintered samples with different granulated powders were analyzed. The forming uniaxial pressure was 100 MPa. Sintering of samples was performed at 1520 °C during 5 hours of soaking. Microstructural investigation was carried out by scanning electron microscope. Obtained relative green and sintered densities for all sample series are equal (50 % and 95 %, corresponding). Fracture surfaces of green samples are uniform and do not contain defects as large pores. Microstructural investigation of sintered samples revealed large cracks with a size in the range between 20 and 40 μm. The average grain size is about 0.7 μm. The average microhardness for all series is about 1150±25 HV_0.5. The minimum strength was obtained for a samples series prepared using PEG 1500 and PEG 6000 mixture. All other series show a flexure strength on one level (880±50 MPa). It is determined, that usage of polyethylene glycols with 400-6000 molecular weight as temporary organic additives is an effective for the 3Y-TZP ceramic production. (paper)