Flash sintering of 3YSZ/Al2O3-platelet composites

Preparation of 3YSZ/Al2O3-platelet composites always requires high temperature, long duration, and/or high pressure. Herein, 3YSZ/Al2O3-platelet composites are prepared at low temperature of 492 degrees C-645 degrees C in 30 seconds by flash sintering under the electric field of 300-800 V/cm. The influence of electric field and current limit on the densification and grain growth of composites is investigated. The onset temperature for flash sintering is determined by electric field, which is decreased with increasing the electric field. Under the constant electric field, the current limit has a great effect on the density and grain size of composite. The flash-sintered 3YSZ/Al2O3-platelet composites exhibit relatively high hardness and elastic modulus. Both Joule heating and defects generation are proposed to be responsible for the rapid densification in flash sintering. This work demonstrates the feasibility of employing the flash sintering to prepare ceramic composites with fine grain size.