Synthesis and characterization of yttrium aluminum garnet by high-energy ball milling

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) powders have been synthesized by high-energy ball milling technique using Y2O3 and Al2O3 powders. The phase evolution and morphology of the samples were investigated. The milled powders can crystallize to YAG at 900 °C and the transformation to YAG completes at 1200 °C. The formation temperature of YAG is significantly lower than that required by the conventional solid-state reaction process. The microstructure of the powder mixtures of the source materials was refined by high-energy ball milling and the reactivity was greatly increased, which benefited to reduce the reaction temperature.