Claims
- 1. A sintered electrically conductive product consisting essentially of cubic ZrO.sub.2 as a matrix and partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) in the range of 10-30 wt. % formed from particles having an average size of approximately 3 microns, wherein said electrically conductive product does not exceed approximately 10 microns in grain size.
- 2. The electrically conductive product of claim 4, wherein the ZrO.sub.2 matrix and PSZ are sintered so that the PSZ particles form crack pinning sites, wherein said crack pinning sites retard propagation of cracks in the matrix of cubic ZrO.sub.2 and increase the fracture toughness K.sub.IC value of said product to about 2.8 MPa.sqroot.m.
- 3. The electrically conductive product of claim 1 wherein the cubic ZrO.sub.2 matrix and PSZ are sintered at a temperature of at least 1350.degree. C.
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 between the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Chicago representing Argonne National Laboratory.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
Number |
Date |
Country |
60-18620 |
Jan 1985 |
JPX |
60-18667 |
Jan 1985 |
JPX |
0159754 |
Dec 1963 |
SUX |