Sintering, Microstructure, and Electrical Conductivity of Zirconia-Molybdenum Cermet

Monolithic zirconia-molybdenum (m-ZrO₂/Mo) cermets of different compositions (5-40 vol.% Mo) and different initial Mo particles sizes (0.08-13 μm) were prepared by traditional powder metallurgy process. The influences of metal content and initial particle sizes on the densification behavior, microstructure, and electrical conductivity of the cermets were studied. A percolation threshold value was obtained about 17.1 vol.% molybdenum fraction, above which a sharp increase in the electrical conductivity was observed. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of cermets was studied. The cermet containing 5 vol.% Mo showed the ionic nature of the conductivity, while the metallic nature was observed in the samples of Mo fraction up to 16 vol.%. The activation of conductivity for ionic type of conductivity and the temperature coefficient of resistivity as well as the effect of porosity on electronic type conductivity are discussed.