TRANSLUCENT TIN DIOXIDE CERAMICS OBTAINED BY NATURAL SINTERING

Dense SnO2-based ceramics (relative density >95%) have been obtained b y natural sintering at a moderate temperature (less than or equal to 1 300 degrees C) with the help of a small amount of manganese, Further t hermal treatments above 1500 degrees C result in grain growth and tran sport of manganese toward the sample surface. If the ceramic is embedd ed inside alumina powder, the diffusion of Mn out of the sample and in to alumina during such heat treatments leads to a manganese-free body (<40 ppm) which is translucent. The transmission in the visible region depends on sample thickness; 61% was achieved for a 0.05 mm thick sam ple.