Effect of Composition on the Structure and Properties of MgO/Y 2 O 3 Composite Ceramics

— We have studied the effect of the ratio of the macrocomponents of magnesium oxide- and yttrium oxide-based composite ceramics on their microstructure and optical and mechanical properties over the entire composition range. The ceramics were produced under identical conditions by hot-pressing nanopowders prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The composition of the ceramics has been shown to have a significant effect on their optical transmission, average grain size, and density, whereas their microhardness is essentially independent of composition. Composite ceramics with a magnesium oxide to yttrium oxide volume ratio of 50 : 50 are optimal for most practical applications.