Effect of Varying Displacement Rates on the Densification of Nanostructured Zirconia by Current Activation

Nanostructured yttria-stabilized zirconia powder (fully and partially stabilized) was densified using simultaneous applied current and pressure using varying displacement control rates for pressure application. The varying displacement rates were found to significantly affect densification rates as well as the final density of the products at all temperatures in the study. The densification rates were significantly higher than those previously reported without current application. In addition the effective densification activation energies are affected by the displacement control rates, highlighting the importance of pressure application method.