Flash Microwave Sintering of Transparent Yb:(LaY)2O3 Ceramics

Yb:(LaY)(2)O-3 ceramic samples have been sintered to almost full density in a fast microwave heating process with zero hold time. Rapid densification is observed at heating rates ranging from 50 degrees C to 2400 degrees C/min. The estimated value of the power absorbed in the materials per unit volume is from 10 to 400W/cm(3), which is similar to the processes of flash sintering under an applied dc/ac voltage. The microstructure of the sintered samples exhibits traces of a liquid-like intergranular phase. The observed flash microwave sintering effect is associated with both preferential microwave absorption and enhanced mass transport within the softened grain boundaries arising due to an elevated concentration of defects and impurities therein. The volumetric nature of microwave heating gives rise to thermal stresses which can act as an additional driving force for sintering. The advantage of the microwave flash sintering process is that no electrodes are needed to supply the power to the articles undergoing sintering.