Preparation and properties of Y2O3 containing zirconia–mullite composites derived from sillimanite beach sand

Mullite–zirconia composites with 2–6 mol% yttrium oxide have been prepared from Indian coastal sillimanite beach sand, zirconia and alumina. All raw materials have been attrition milled and then isostatically pressed followed by sintering in the range of 1500–1600 °C with a 2-h soaking period. Then the sintered materials have been characterised in terms of bulk density, linear shrinkage, hot modulus of rupture, X-ray diffraction, infra red spectroscopy and microstructural features. The effect of yttrium oxide with change of sintering temperature for different properties have been discussed.