On the possibility of using arc plasma melting technique in preparation of transparent yttria ceramics

A state-of-the-art fabrication of Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic by arc plasma synthesis using commercial micron-size powders is reported. The morphological observations of the surface by scanning electron microscope shows that a dense microstructure can be obtained. Arc melted samples are made of a white core and transparent layer. X-ray diffraction studies and also Raman spectroscopy confirm that only one phase occurred in the core and in the transparent layer, and that the physicochemical difference exists. The obtained Y₂O₃ shell ceramics have pores but also relative low absorbance in the VIS-NIR region after double side polishing. The optical band gap and the refractive index are reported. It is concluded that arc plasma melting allows obtaining quickly (10 minutes) dense and highly transparent polycrystalline samples, especially in the VIS-IR spectral region.