In this study, to increase the strength and enhance the sintering property of Al2O3, Y2O3 and La2O3 were added; the effects of these additions on the sintering characteristics of Al2O3 were observed. Adding 1 % of Y2O3 to Al2O3 repressed the development of abnormal particles and reduced the grain boundary migration of Al2O3, curbing pores to capture particles; as such, the material showed a fine microstructure. But, when over 2% of Y2O3 was added, the sintering property was reduced because of abnormal particle grain growth and pore formation in particles. Adding 1 % of Y2O3 and La2O3 to Al2O3 led to the development of abnormal particles and formed pores in the particles; when over 3% of La2O3 was added, the sintering property was reduced because the shape of the Al2O3 particles changed to angled plates.

The sintering behavior of zircon with silica was investigated. Zircon with 5 vol% of sedimentation SiO2 resulted in the apparent density of 4.45 g/cm3, the diametral tensile strength of 12.125 kgf/cm2, and the micro Vickers hardness of 1283 HV. The dissociation temperature and mechanical characteristics of the ZrSiO4 were changed with different kinds of SiO2. SiO2 addition prevented dissociation of ZrSiO4. Zircon with 5 vol% of sedimentation SiO2 and with 5 vol% of fused SiO2 resulted in increased diametral tensile strength and increased micro Vickers hardness by suppression of ZrSiO4 dissociation and low temperature liquid SiO2 formation. Zircon with fumed SiO2 and quartz SiO2 resulted in decreased diametral tensile strength and decreased micro Vickers hardness because of cristobalite and quartz phase formation and high temperature liquid SiO2 formation. Zircon with 10 vol% of SiO2 resulted in decreased diametral tensile strength and decreased micro Vickers hardness because of weak particle coupling due to excess formation of liquid SiO2.

Effect The effect of sintering additives (SiO2, Al2O3, Clay) on the mechanical characteristics of sintered zircon was investigated. 1 vol% of additives in zircon powder was was sintered at 120~1500˚C, the mechanical characteristics were measured, and microstructure analysis were was conducted. Al2O3 and clay additions increase the formation of monoclinic and tetragonal-ZrO2 formation. An addition of SiO2 addition suppressed the formation of tetragonal-ZrO2 formation., The A specimen sintered at 1400˚C showed the a density of 4.05 g/cm3 and the a microhardness of 1120 HV, respectively.