POLYMER MATRIX SYNTHESIS OF ZIRCONIA EUTECTICS FOR DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION INTO SINGLE-CRYSTAL FIBERS

ZrO2/CaO composites were synthesized by addition of PEI to an aqueous solution of zirconium and calcium acetates. The formed precomposite ge l was converted to ZrO2/CaO composite on further sintering. The compos ite powders thus obtained were characterized using X-ray diffraction ( XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infra-red (IR) spectrosco py. Single crystal fibres were grown from these composite powders by t he laser floating zone (LFZ) technique at varying growth rates. The re sultant fibres revealed laminar-types eutectic structures and the rela tive phase alignment was found to depend on the LFZ growth conditions. These fibres were further characterized by Raman spectroscopy and con ductivity measurements.