Pressureless reaction sintering of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) from powder precursor in the hydroxyhydrogel form

Pressureless reaction sintering of YAG was carried out by using a precursor powder in the hydroxyhydrogel form synthesized by flash polycondensation technique. Reactive silica additive was used to modify Al–O–Y network where Si4+ was incorporated in the solvated form. The sintering experiments were carried out with the processed powder up to 1650 °C under ambient ambience. Densification indicated effective sintering with well-formed microstructure. Phase identification by XRD indicated only YAG in the sintered specimen.