Preparation, Sintering, and Properties of Translucent Er ₂ O ₃ ‐Doped Tetragonal Zirconia

Tetragonal zirconia doped with 3 mol% Er 2 O 3 was prepared by the gel‐precipitation wet‐chemical method. The compaction response of ultrafine (∼8.5 nm), calcined, deagglomerated powders was studied. Initial sintering was studied using both isothermal and nonisothermal techniques, and an activation energy of 270 ± 40 kJ/mol was obtained; therefore, grain‐boundary diffusion was probably the predominant mechanism in the sintering stage. The microstructural development in the high‐temperature‐aged, sintered samples and its effect on density and mechanical properties were also studied. A theoretically dense body of tetragonal zirconia solid solution of 3 mol% Er 2 O 3 –ZrO 2 , obtained from sintering below 1400°C, was translucent.