Production of Ceramic Materials Based on Zirconium Dioxide by Gel Casting

Abstract—This article discusses the possibility of obtaining dense ceramics based on zirconium dioxide powder using the gel casting method. The microstructure has been investigated, and the physical and mechanical properties of the obtained samples have been studied. An experimental selection of the composition of the water-based zirconium dioxide powder suspension was carried out. The apparent density of the samples obtained from the suspension after sintering was 5.91 g/cm3, with a relative density of 97.7% and linear shrinkage of 22–24%. The flexural strength of the sintered prismatic samples reached 547 MPa. The microstructure of the obtained sintered samples is characterized by high density and submicron grain size (0.15–0.5 μm). Ceramic castings of complex geometric shapes (crucible, spring, through insulator) were produced.