ABSTRACT
The strength distribution of ZTA ceramics fabricated from spray dried powders was determined. One of the powders consisted of ‘donut’ shaped agglomerates, the other of solid spheres. Although the bulk densities of the powders did not differ, the strength of material made from solid spherical granules was considerably higher than for material made from ‘donut’ shaped granules due to the presence of large cracklike voids resulting from poor interagglomerate sintering. In contrast, the Weibull modulus was very similar for the two materials and it is suggested that the origin of strength limiting flaws may be, in both cases, related to the original spray dried granules.
