ABSTRACT
Well-crystallized yttria fully stabilized zirconia (Y-FSZ, 8 mol% Y2O3 doped ZrO2) powders were synthesized by homogeneous precipitation under hydrothermal conditions. The mixed aqueous solutions of ZrOCl2.8H2O, YCl3.6H2O and urea were hydrothermally treated at 180°C for 2 hours in a zirconium-lined autoclave. The homogeneous precipitate formed was hydrous ZrO2 with Y2O3, which crystallized into yttria doped zirconia under hydrothermal conditions. The products were cubic fine powders about 10 nm in size. Over 98% theoretically dense 8Y-FSZ ceramics with a homogeneous microstructure were obtained by sintering above 1400°C.
