YAG-Ceramic Powders — Size-Reduction Influence on Optical Ceramic Properties

The morphology and degree of agglomeration of the precursor and YAG-ceramic powders were investigated as functions of the grinding conditions, followed by an assessment of the influence of these parameters on the optical properties and structure of the ceramic. YAG-precursor powders were obtained by chemical coprecipitation. The morphology and size of the agglomerates and crystallites were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy, laser diffraction analysis, x-ray diffraction analysis, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller gas adsorption. It was discovered that grinding of the YAG precursor powders can decrease the degree of agglomeration of the ceramic powder. It was found that with a mass ratio of grinding balls to precursor powder of 6.75/1 and a mass ratio of the grinding medium to the mass of the precursor powder of 4.5/1, optimal conditions obtain for providing the necessary granulometric characteristics and the highest mono-dispersity. In summary, by such means the properties of YAG optical ceramic can be improved by using of an additional grinding stage for the powders synthesized by chemical deposition and by selecting suitable grinding modes.