Preceramic Paper Derived Alumina/Zirconia Ceramics

Abstract Preceramic paper offers a novel approach for manufacturing of lightweight ceramic structures applying versatile paper shaping technologies. Substitution of bioorganic pulp fibers in alumina loaded preceramic paper by inorganic short zirconia fibers was investigated. A retention of more than 90 wt% was achieved by a combination of cationic and anionic retention aids. Powder packing density in the paper sheet decreased with increasing amount of non‐deformable zirconia fibers used to substitute highly deformable pulp fibers. Applying post‐pressing, however, resulted in a pronounced improvement of packing density while retaining excellent flexibility and strength of the preceramic paper preform. Thus, preceramic paper containing a zirconia fiber volume fraction of 19% sintered at 1 600 °C attained a rupture strength measured by ball‐on‐three‐balls loading of 120 ± 17 MPa (porosity 44%) which after pressure consolidation of the paper increased to 180 ± 49 MPa (porosity 28%).