Effects of milling on co-precipitated 3Y-PSZ powders

The present research compares properties and behaviour of co-precipitated 3Y-PSZ powders submitted, after co-precipitation, to different milling treatments. The characteristics of the different products were evaluated by measurement of particle size distribution, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area and scanning electron microscopy analysis. It has been demonstrated that 1 h of attrition milling enables the production of powders containing soft agglomerates of nanometric particles: the dispersing liquid used on milling has little influence. Crystallisation into a cryptocrystalline structure of the amorphous powder is achieved after 1 h of high energetic milling, avoiding thermal treatments.