No abstract

Mechanical processing of nanocrystalline Y2O3 and transition alumina (AlOOH) was performed, using a Spex mixer mill under atmospheric conditions, to synthesize yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG, Y3Al5O12) powder at lower temperature. The reaction of nanocrystalline Y2O3 with AlOOH was activated by mechanical energy and use of fine instead of heat energy, leading to the direct formation of pure YAG without second phases at a lower temperature, 800°C, which is significantly lower than that required by the conventional solid-state reaction process.