Y3Al5O12(YAG)–ZrO2 Binary eutectic composites obtained by melt quenching

We report here the formation and eutectic architecture of Y3Al5O12–ZrO2 eutectic composites obtained using a rapid eutectic solidification method. The preparation of bulk pellets by rapid eutectic quenching in the pseudo-binary system is presented. The phases present in the rapidly quenched composite, cubic yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and yttrium aluminium garnet, Y3Al5O12(YAG), were determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mutual substitution of yttria and zirconia in each phase was studied also by Raman spectroscopy. The eutectic morphology of the pseudo-binary eutectic was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The eutectic composites showed a rod-like microstructure with eutectic spacings in the sub-micron range and could be obtained in a wide range of compositions along the Y3Al5O12–ZrO2 pseudobinary line of the Al2O3–Y2O3–ZrO2 ternary oxide diagram. Off-eutectic composites containing alumina or yttrium aluminium perovskite and showing a broken eutectic structure were also obtained.