Optimization of Conditions of Preparation of YAG Nanopowders for Sintering of Translucent Ceramics

The agglomeration of YAG (Yttrium-Aluminum Garnet Y3Al5O12) nanopowders doped with various rare earth ions obtained by the coprecipitation and calcination route is a major problem if it is wished to exploit the nano-size properties such as the transparency of dispersions of the powders or low temperature sintering. Investigations to optimize the preparation process of powders for High Pressure-Low temperature Sintering (HPLS) of semi-translucent pellets was undertaken. The appropriate milling time to decrease the agglomeration was evaluated with the help of ZETA- potential measurement. The dependence of the agglomerate size against the time of hand milling was used to optimize the process.