High Energy Ball Milling of YAG Powders: Sintering Properties and Microstructural Evaluation

Abstract

Outstanding properties of sintered ceramics due to lower sintering temperatures and smaller grain sizes are of much attention to many researchers. In this study, YAG phase was formed successfully with mechanical activation of powder mixtures by high energy ball milling of powders at different speeds. The powders were compacted and sintered at three different temperatures to evaluate the sintering density, phase formation and grain formation. It was found that increasing activation time, which agitates the powder mixing more accurately, has led to an increase in the relative density, as compared to non-activated samples, sintered at same temperatures. Up to 95% ot the theoretical density were reached, indicating the partial liquid phase formation of Y-A related phases. YAG phase formation and crystallite size were evaluated using XRD and Debye-Scherrer formula. The studies of grain size and surface morphology were conducted using SEM. Since the mechanical activation of ceramic powders occurs by fragmentation and crack propagation, by brittle fracture of powders, the main mechanism of reduction of sintering temperature can be concluded to be the decreasing grain size, as well as the increasing strain on fine powder grains.