PHASE-STABILISED ZIRCONIA NANOPOWDERS AND THEIR SINTERING STUDIED BY POSITRON ANNIHILATION TECHNIQUES

Microstructure studies of zirconia-based nanopowders and ceramics containing different phase-stabilising oxides are reported. Positron annihilation techniques were involved as the main tool in these studies. The present contribution is focused on the effect of rare-earth oxide stabilisers and the depth-profiling of microstructure patterns during sintering.