Activation of mass transfer processes at spark plasma sintering of zirconium dioxide

The paper presents the results of numerical simulation of thermal and electric fields' distribution in the graphite moulding tool and in the sintered sample of ZrO₂-4%Y₂O₃ in the course of spark plasma sintering (SPS). The reduction of SPS duration is accounted for the largeness of specific thermal flux towards the sample surface, emitted by the graphite moulding tool. The impact of the electric field on the sample structure leads to emergence of the polarizing processes forcing zirconium ions to shift from lattice sites, which is able to reduce the required value of thermal energy necessary for initiation of a diffusion process. The axial pressure at high temperatures of sintering can lead to plastic deformation of the powder particles.