| Abstract: | Tailoring phase transition and microstructural evolution during sintering is crucial for the fabrication of ZnS ceramics transparent to infrared (IR) radiation. Herein, we have described the phase transition, microstructure, and related IR transmission of spark-plasma-sintered ZnS ceramics in terms of sintering temperature and pressure. The pore characteristics of spark-plasma-sintered ZnS ceramics were evaluated using Mie scattering theory. Changes in hexagonality and residual pore characteristics of the microstructure affected IR transmission of the sintered specimens. High temperature and pressure condition of SPS were found to increase excessive hexagonal phase (>20%), mainly contributing to a transmittance decay in the range 2–4 μm. |
