The effect of TiO2/Yb2O3 binary sintering aids on the properties of UV‐cured Al2O3‐based ceramics

Abstract

In this study, an Al2O3‐based ceramic pastes with high solid content and low viscosity for photocuring was prepared. The effects of TiO2/Yb2O3 binary sintering aid on the rheological properties, curing behavior, and bending strength of the sintered parts were systematically investigated. Ceramic samples with an intact surface and no defects were prepared through debinding in various atmospheres followed by pressure‐less sintering at 1600°C. The bending strength of the sintered material was 329 MPa, which represents a 231% increase compared to the bending strength of 99.4 MPa for pure Al2O3 ceramic material prepared using the same process, with the highest recorded bending strength reaching 478.47 MPa. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that the binary sintering aid acts as a bridge between grains by forming a solid solution with Al2O3 powder at high temperatures, which decreased the pore size and number between Al2O3 ceramic grains, thereby enhancing the bending strength of the ceramics. The prepared ceramic pastes is expected to meet the manufacturing requirements of high‐performance ceramic substrates and accelerate the development of high‐performance ceramic substrate processing technology.