Effect of Pressing Process on the High-Temperature Stability of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Ceramic Material in Molten Salt of CaCl2-CaF2-CaO

The high-temperature stability of YSZ specimens fabricated by die pressure and cold isostatic press (CIP) is investigated in CaCl2-CaF2-CaO molten salt at 1,150 °C. The experimental results are as follows: green density 46.7 % and 50.9 %; sintering density 93.3 % and 99.3 % for die press and CIP, respectively. YSZ foremd by CIP exhibits higher stability than YSZ formed by die press due to denseness dependency after high-temperature stability test. YSZ shows peaks mainly attributed to CaZrO3, with a small t-ZrO2 peak, unlike the high-intensity tetragonal-ZrO2 (t-ZrO2) peak observed for the asreceived specimen. The t-ZrO2 phase of YSZ is likely stabilized by Y2O3, and the leaching of Y2O3 results in phase transformation from t-ZrO2 to m-ZrO2. CaZrO3 likely forms from the reaction between CaO and m-ZrO2. As the exposure time increases, more CaZrO3 is observed in the internal region of YSZ, which could be attributed to the inward diffusion of molten salt and outward diffusion of the stabilizer (Y2O3) through the pores. This results in greater susceptibility to phase transformation and CaZrO3 formation. To use SOM anodes for the electroreduction of various metals, YSZ stability must be improved by adjusting the high-density in the forming process.