Influence of grinding method on Pb-3(VO4)(1.6)(PO4)(0.4) sinterability

The sinterability of Pb-3(VO4)(1.6)(PO4)(0.4) strongly depends on the metho d of grinding. Different techniques such as dilatometry, X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrate the existence of important low-temperature superficial mechani sms. The presence or otherwise, of a liquid phase according to the type of grinding retained is also shown. If the observed densification is important , it is nevertheless completed by a considerable grain growth strongly modi fying the microstructure, regardless of the method of grinding. This grain growth can be reduced by fast-firing. Our results show the intrinsic abilit y of this material to sinter without any additive, and the possibility to d ecrease the sintering temperature more than 130 degrees C by grinding optim ization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.