Composites containing a matrix of nanometric Ce-stabilized zirconia with an
addition of micrometric monoclinic zirconia were processed by slip casting
and sintered at a relatively low temperature. The ratio between nanometric
and micrometric particles was determined according to the viscosity of the
suspensions and the final density of the pellets. An optimum amount of mic
rometric particles was necessary to achieve improved suspension dispersion
and higher pellet density. The amount of deflocculant in the suspensions co
ntaining the mixture of micrometric and nanometric particles was optimized
by viscosity measurements. The pellets were characterized by dilatometry, H
g porosimetry, density measurement (the Archimedes method) and scanning ele
ctron microscopy. Despite the low green density obtained (35-38% of the the
oretical density), densities as high as 97.5% were achieved after sintering
. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserved.