Effect of Resistive Coupled Microwave Sintering on the Microhardness of Y_3Al_5O_(12)

摘要

Phase pure Y_3Al_5O_(12) was synthesized using an auto-ignited combustion technique. A novel resistive coupled microwave sintering technique was used to sinter the samples to >99% of the theoretical density at 1470°C for a soaking duration of 20 minutes. In resistive coupled microwave sintering there was a substantial reduction in sintering temperature and soaking duration compared to the conventional sintering and susceptor assisted microwave sintering. The pellets sintered using the novel method showed better hardness of 13.9 GPa compared to the pellets sintered via the other two sintering techniques. The results clearly indicate that the Y_3Al_5O_(12) samples sintered via resistive coupled microwave technique can effectively be used as infrared domes and windows in advanced homing missiles for strategic defence applications.