PREPARATION OF ZRO2 POWDERS DOPED WITH SI O2 BY HYDROLYSIS OF TETRAETHOXYSILANE

Three mol% Y2O3-doped tetragonal ZrO2 compacts with a small amount of SiO2 were prepared by the hydrolysis of Si(OC2H5)(4) suspended with Zr O2 particles and using a pressure filtration technique. The SiO2 conte nt of the compacts was successfully controlled within the range of abo ut 0.1-1 mass% by treating the ZrO2 powder with an aqueous H2SO4 solut ion prior to the hydrolysis of Si(OC2H5)(4). The compacts doped with 0 .36 and 1.22 mass% SiO2 showed a high relative density of above 98% wh en sintered at 1300 degrees C for 2h.