Sintering kinetic window for yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia

The influence of two pressure less sintering methods (single-step sintering and two-step sintering) on the final microstructure of cubic ZrO2 was studied. Two different theoretical models were applied for the evaluation of the activation energies of sintering and grain growth. Consequently, the comparison of established activation energies allowed us to discuss the existence of sintering kinetic window where the grain growth is suppressed, while sintering is still active. The results show the sensitivity of microstructural evolution of c-ZrO2 to the sintering temperature. The improved microstructure (i.e., the highest density and lowest grain size) of c-ZrO2 was obtained, when low sintering temperature together with long dwell were applied irrespective of the sintering regime used.