ON LINE CHARACTERIZATION OF ZIRCONIA POWDERS SYNTHESIZED BY ATOMIZATION

A technique based on a spray pyrolysis technique for producing and cha racterizing fine ceramic powders has been developed. This promising pr ocess consists in nebulizing a precursor solution, after the aerosol g eneration the particles are heated. One of the most interesting applic ations of this method is in the possibility of control of the structur e and morphology of the final product. In situ X-ray absorption analys is has given information related to the particle formation. We have sh own that high purity, chemical homogeneity, particle size and spherici ty which are requested for improving ceramic processing, are related t o the structural information during the synthesis from the liquid phas e. The problem of the formation of porous particles which can lead to difficulties in densifying the powders is investigated examining the e ffect of the synthesis parameters on the particle formation.