Sintering behavior and optical properties of yttria

Sintering in air of a pure yttria powder was investigated on green samples shaped by slip casting. The relative density/grain size trajectory has been drawn and hypotheses concerning the mechanisms controlling grain growth and densification were formulated. Samples were fully densified by an additional hot isostatic pressing step on pre-sintered samples. After optimal polishing, optical properties were measured in the UV, visible, and infrared ranges.