Work

Yb:YAG Transparent Ceramics by Double‐Step Sintering—A Comparison Between HIP and FAST Postsintering Treatments

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The potential of the field‐assisted sintering technique (FAST) as a novel postdensification method for densifying pre‐sintered transparent Yb‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Yb:YAG) ceramics was evaluated. Specifically, the unconventional FAST method was compared with hot isostatic pressing. Achieving transparency in a ceramic requires a precise process control to attain a fully pore‐ and defect‐free microstructure. Conventionally, YAG‐based transparent ceramics are prepared through double‐step sintering, such as vacuum sintering followed by HIP. In this work, various combinations of pressure and temperature were explored using the FAST process as an alternative to HIP. The resulting microstructures were analyzed and compared. Carbon contamination was observed in samples processed by FAST. Transmittance after the FAST and HIP treatments, and after air annealing treatments was compared. The findings indicate that FAST effectively reduces residual porosity, yielding transparent materials, and can serve as a viable alternative to HIP.

Source: Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: 10.1111/jace.70963

Authors: Francesco Picelli, Rémy Boulesteix, Alexandre Maître, Marion Vandenhende, Jan Hostaša, Laura Esposito