Cold sintering process for ZrO2‐based ceramics: significantly enhanced densification evolution in yttria‐doped ZrO2

Abstract We recently developed a novel technique of cold sintering process ( CSP ) to obtain dense ceramics at extraordinarily low temperatures. In this communication, we demonstrate the feasibility of applying CSP to zirconia‐based ceramics. As exemplified by 3Y‐ TZP ceramics, a significantly enhanced densification evolution is observed. Water is simply utilized as a sintering aid to assist the ceramic densification under an applied external pressure. The low‐temperature advantage of CSP outstands in contrast to the densification curves compiled from other sintering techniques. A gradual monoclinic‐to‐tetragonal phase transformation is revealed in correspondence to the densification development, as well as contributes to the mechanical hardness evolution. A Vickers Hardness reaches ~10.5 GP a after annealing the cold‐sintered ceramics at 1100°C, which is comparable to those values reported in the previous studies at higher sintering temperatures. Such a sintering methodology is of significant importance as it provides a roadmap for cost‐effective processing of zirconia‐based ceramics and composites that enable broad practical applications.