Synthesis and thermal expansion of the rare-earth zirconate ceramics

In this study, the rare-earth zirconates were synthesized by the solid state reaction at 1600 degrees C for 10 h. The phases of the specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the microstructures were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the thermal expansion coefficient was measured. The results show that the rare-earth zirconates are monophase materials and the value of thermal expansion coefficient is about 11 x 10(-6)/degrees C. With the temperature increase, the value of the thermal expansion coefficient increases, and decreases when the atomic number increases.