Influence of Stoichiometry on the Electrical and Mechanical Behavior of Yttrium Oxide Ceramics

Because of their method of preparation, ceramics contain point defects, the concentration of which may vary from the center to the boundary of the grains, which may change the bulk properties of the material. The electronic structure of the oxygen-related defects has been studied by electron spectroscopy in yttria ceramics submitted to various heating conditions under controlled atmospheres. The differences in the mechanical and electrical behaviors are observed to correlate with the defect content.