Measurement of Densification of Zinc Oxide (ZnO)
Using an Optical, Non-contact, Non-invasive Extensometer

T. Olorunyolemi, R. Tolbert, O. Wilson, Jr., Y. Carmel, I. Lloyd, G. Xu
Institute for Plasma Research
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

101st Annual Meeting & Exposition, The American Ceramic Society
Indianapolis, IN, April 25-28, 1999

ABSTRACT. A non-invasive, non-contact optical system was used to measure the sintering behavior of zinc oxide, of different particle sizes (micron, submicron and nano powders), in a conventional oven. The results obtained show that the nanometer size sample starts to densify at ~400oC, which is about 200oC below that of the micron size sample. These results are in agreement (±3%) with those obtained using conventional dilatometer. With this equipment, the densification of ceramics can be studied in a microwave environment by temperature and rate controlled sintering. This may aid in finding explanations for "microwave effects."

This work is supported by AFOSR, Ceramic Materials Program.