POWDERS OF YTTRIUM-STABILIZED ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE: ANALYSIS OF PHASE AND ELEMENT COMPOSITIONS, DEFECTIVE SUBSTRUCTURE*

Abstract

The structure and properties of structural ceramics depend significantly on the state of the starting components (phase and elemental composition, dispersion, and morphology of the starting powders), the method of their production, compaction, and subsequent sintering. One promising direction in the production of structural ceramics is the dry uniaxial pressing of nanopowders under the simultaneous action of powerful ultrasonic vibrations, which helps reduce wall and interparticle friction. This allows for denser packing of powder particles and, consequently, higher compaction density of any geometry. During the pressing of ultrasonic ceramic powders, the dispersion, morphology, elastic-plastic properties, compaction density, and the homogeneity of their microstructure can be influenced. However, the question of the influence of powerful ultrasonic exposure on the phase composition, parameters of the crystal structure and defects of metastable powder nanoparticles belonging to the class of polymorphic materials still remains open.