Spherical Zirconia Particles Via Electrostatic Atomization: Fabrication and Sintering Characteristics

Abstract

From the first recorded investigations by Bosetti in 1745 through G.I. Taylor's[2] work on the “Disintegration of Water Droplets in an Electric Field” in 1964, electrostatic atomization of liquids has been put to use in a variety of applications ranging from crop spraying to the propulsion of space vehicles. Here, we have used electrostatic atomization to form micron size droplets of zirconium acetate which pyrolyze to spherical ZrO2 particles for use in sintering studies. Two ZrO2 powders were fabricated. Both are spherical and of similar size distribution, however, in one, the particles are single crystals, while in the other, the particles are polycrystalline. This work discusses the processing of these different particles, and the relative sintering behavior of powders that are composed of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline particles.