The possibility of using SiO2 sand as additive for densification of the Al2O3-SiO2-ZrO2 (ASZ) ceramic composite was studied. Dilatometry was used to measure the shrinkage behavior of ASZ green bodies under a nitrogen atmosphere from room temperature to 1823 K. The first liquid formed at 1373 K, resulted in a significant reduction of the sintering temperature. It also indicated that the phase transformation occurred during the sintering process had reduced the sintering temperature to1723 K. Alumina, zirconia and mullite phases were detected and confirmed by XRD and FESEM results. Based on those results, it can be concluded that SiO2 is an additive in lowering the sintering temperature of ASZ composite.

Keywords: Alumina, Dilatometry, Silica, Sintering, Zirconia.