Fabrication of Y_(1.8)La_(0.2)O_3 transparent ceramics by microwave sintering method

Y1.8La0.2O3powders were prepared by chemical coprecipitation method with Y2O3( 4N) and La2O3( 3N) as the raw materials,and Y1.8La0.2O3transparent ceramics were fabricated by conventional sintering and microwave sintering,under hydrogen atmosphere respectively.The results show that the near-spherical powders of 40-60 nm are obtained through calcining at 900 ℃ for 2 h.The Y1.8La0.2O3transparent ceramics are obtained by microwave sintering at 1450 ℃ for 30 min under hydrogen atmosphere possess high compactness,fine grain,good toughness and high light transmittance.Compared to conventional sintering,the sintering temperature of microwave sintering is reduced significantly,the sintering time shortens greatly,the grains of the transparent ceramics are more finer and the fracture mode gradually changes from the intergranular fracture of the conventionaly sintered ceramics to the transgranular fracture of the microwave sintered one.