MgTa2O6 and ZnTa2O6 ceramics from oxide precursors

An experimental route from mixed oxides of binary compounds and a solid-state reaction has been established for the synthesis of MgTa2O6 (MT) and ZnTa2O2 (ZT) compounds. MT and ZT powders have been prepared in a reproducible manner, with special attention focusing on the correlation of reaction conditions, sintering time, crystalline phase formation, density and microstructural development. The conditions under which a single phase was obtained were mean particle diameter of 0.73 mum for ZT and of 0.83 mum for MT, after 24 hours of milling, and a 12 h reaction temperature of 1250 degreesC. A highly dense ceramic of up to 98% of the theoretical density was produced by sintering compacted powders at 1400 degreesC for 8 h. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.