Systematic optimization of spray drying for YAG transparent ceramics

Spray drying parameters have been systematically optimized to granulate a stoichiometric mixture of commercial oxides for YAG transparent ceramics. The processing parameters and suspension composition were changed in sequence and SEM analysis , EDS , MIP and transmittance measurements, were used to choose the best spray drying parameters. The optimized inlet and outlet temperatures of drying medium were 75 and 60   °C, and its flux and aspiration rate were 25   Hz and 30   Hz, respectively. The balanced suspension composition were: solid content 45   wt.%, binder PVB 1.0   wt.%, dispersant DS005 0.50   wt.% and the atomizer rotating speed 8000   r/min. The granulated particles exhibited excellent forming performance with mono-dispersed, spherical and fully dense aggregates, and mean size was ∼40   μm. They could be crushed under 40   MPa. The homogeneous distribution and microstructure of ceramics assured the high optical quality of YAG ceramics.