In-situ high-temperature bending strength measurement of YSZ ceramics manufactured using novel B2O3-based glass binder

Stabilized zirconia ceramics are in high demand for various high temperature applications as fuel cells, oxygen sensors or protective barriers in aircraft. The use of additive manufacturing with polymeric binders do not allow the application of manufactured zirconia ceramics units at high temperature. The present research highlights the manufacturing of cubic yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) using Co₃O₄-doped MgO-BaO-B₂O₃ glass as a novel high-temperature binder. In order to produce ceramics, YSZ powder with 4 wt. % of glass binder was milled in a planetary mill, compacted using isostatic cold pressing and annealed at 1500 °C for 2 hours. Sol-gel co-precipitated YSZ powder with average particle size of 290 nm was used as a precursor. The structure of ceramics was investigated via HR-SEM, EDS, XRD, hydrostatic weighting. In situ 3-point bending strength measurement showed that the ultimate bending strength is 104 ±10 MPa at room temperature. Temperature increase induces the linear decrease of bending strength value. Fractography tests revealed that the glass binder plays a key role in the mechanical behavior of the ceramics. The ways to improve the mechanical behavior of ceramics are suggested.