The preparation of ZrO2–ZrC ceramic microspheres by internal gelation process with sucrose as a carbon source

Abstract ZrO 2 –ZrC (ZrCO) ceramic microspheres were fabricated by internal gelation and carbothermal reduction. The effect of various carbon sources on the stability of the broth was investigated, the carbon sources which have little effect on the stability of the broth were chosen as the carbon sources for carbothermal reduction, and the component distribution and microstructure of the sintered ZrCO microspheres were analyzed. The results indicate that the broth was stable at room temperature when sucrose was used as the carbon source, and crack-free ZrC–ZrO 2 ceramic microspheres with good sphericity and uniform distribution of ZrC and ZrO 2 could be successfully prepared. Moreover, the ZrC–ZrO 2 ceramic microspheres fabricated have no obvious pores and free carbon.