Effect of Current Density, Temperature, and Contact Paste on Flash Sintered 8YSZ

Flash sintering has been investigated as a modern sintering method through examining the effect of processing parameters such as current density, temperature, and contact paste on the flash sintered 8YSZ characteristic. 95% of theoretical density was achieved at 800°С in 30sec with a field intensity of 100V.cm-1 and a current density of 160mA.mm-2. Such relative density in conventional sintering achieved at 1450°С for 4 hours. Results indicated that the temperature and flash current density have positive effects on the relative density. Contact paste had a significant effect on the relative density. 8YSZ samples with LSM contact paste had a higher relative density in comparison with those flash sintered with Pt contact paste. The positive effect of LSM contact paste was more significant, especially at lower current density.