Characteristics of $Al_2O_3-ZrO_2$ powders prepared by sol-gel process and their sintering behavior were investigated with hydrolysis condition and calcination temperature.
Hydrolysis condition was varied with $H_2O$/alkoxide molar ratios of 1, 3, 10, and 20. Crystallization of the sol-gel processed powders calcined at 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200$^\circ{C}$ was analyzed by X-ray diffraction technique. Pore size and distribution of green compact of the calcined powders were measured by mercury porosimeter.
Average grain sizes of the sintered specimen which was sintered at 1600$^\circ{C}$ for 2 hrs in air were ranged from 1 and 2 μm and 69% tetragonal $ZrO_2$ phase existed in the sintered specimen with 17 vol% $ZrO_2$ at room temperature.
Based on this study, it is suggested that the optimal condition of hydrolysis and calcination for the sintering of $Al_2O_3-ZrO_2$ powder prepared by sol-gel process are 10 $H_2O$/alkoxide molar ratio and 1100$^\circ{C}$ calcination. Also it is shown that the $ZrO_2$ particle can be dispersed into the interior of fine $Al_2O_3$ grain by pressureless sintering of the sol-gel processed $Al_2O_3-ZrO_2$ powder.
