Fabrication of translucent MgO ceramics using nanopowders

Translucent MgO ceramics have been fabricated by hot-pressing using nanopowder of MgO containing 2-4% LiF as a fugitive additive. Thin circular discs were pressed uniaxially with the LiF-containing nanopowders. The hot-pressing was carried out either in Ar or in vacuum, holding at 1100 degreesC for 30 to 60 min at either 24 or 45 MPa. The samples were then annealed in air by either conventional or microwave processing. The annealed samples were highly dense and optically translucent. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.