The objective of the present study is to analyze the interactions between yttria partially stabilized zirconia and strontiumdoped lanthanum manganite (YPSZ-LSM) and lanthanum manganite (LM), after processing by spark plasma sintering. LSM (La1-xSrxMnO3±δ with x = 0.15) and LM (LaMnO3±δ) were obtained by a mechanosynthesis process using two different types of manganese oxide as precursors: MnO (II) and MnO2 (IV). The manganite powders were mixed with YPSZ in a 1:1 weight ratio. The mixed powders were uni-axial compacted at 16 MPa and spark plasma sintered (SPS) at 1000οC and 1300 οC. Results of the interaction between YPSZ and LSM were obtained and are reported from XRD and SEM analyses. For samples that have been sintered at 1000 οC, only those that contain LM and LSM that has been synthesized from manganese (IV) show the formation of lanthanum zirconate; in contrast, all of the samples that have been sintered at 1300οC give raise to lanthanum zirconate. Cubic zirconia is present at room temperature in 15% Sr-doped lanthanum manganite mixtures (1300οC SPS).

Keywords: Lanthanum manganites, Structure, Yttria stabilized zirconia, Spark plasma sintering.