SEM- Assisted Thermophysical and Mechanical Properties of Sintered MgO-ZrO2 Composite

Sintered MgO-ZrO2 Composite were pressed from powders prepared in the range of 2-50 mol.% MgO using direct mixed reaction. Sintering behaviors were followed in the temperature range of 1200 – 1600˚C. Microhardness measurements were determined for as-sintered, thermally-aged and thermally-shocked compacts for different MgO content. SEM observations were used to identify and observe the phases present and to follow their reflection on the physicomechanical properties of the sintered compacts at different MgO concentrations. The results obtained may be allowing for tailoring the microstructure through compromisation between processing method, physical properties and microstructural relations.