Sintering of oxide and carbide ceramics by electron beam at forevacuum pressure

Abstract

Novel approaches for electron beam sintering of zirconia and silicon carbide ceramics have been investigated: application of forevacuum pressure plasma-cathode to compensate the charge induced by the electron beam on the green compact surface, and previous dry powder compaction under powerful ultrasound assistance. Dense YSZ ceramics with submicron and micron grains have been consolidated by electron beam sintering after powder compaction using ultrasound.