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Oxide Y2.5Nd0.5Al5O12 (YAG:Nd) with garnet structure was synthesized in the powder and ceramics forms. Fine-grained YAG:Nd ceramics with a relative density of ~99% were obtained by the Spark Plasma Sintering method (SPS). The radiation resistance of ceramics was studied under irradiation with swift Xe-ions (E = 146 MeV). A gradient defect structure is formed in irradiated ceramics, varying from layer to layer. The strained YAG phase formed as a result of Xe ions irradiation is localized in a near-surface layer with a thickness of ~5 {\mu}m. Full amorphization of the samples was observed under irradiation with a fluence of 1x10^13 cm-2. The calculated critical fluence was 6.5x10^12 cm-2, which corresponded to 0.03 dpa. The microhardness of the surface layers of irradiated ceramics is less than the central layers, and, in general, decreases with increasing ion fluence., Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures, 33 references

The results of dynamic strength tests of the alumina ceramics with various grain sizes are presented. The ceramics were obtained by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) of industrial submicron and fine Al2O3 powders. The heating up was performed with the rate of 10 oC/min; the grain sizes in the ceramics was controlled by varying the SPS temperature and the heating rate as well as by varying the initial sizes of the Al2O3 particles in the powders. The ceramics had a high density (over 98%) and a uniform fine-grained microstructure (the mean grain sizes varied from 0.8 to 13.4 mkm). The dynamic compressing tests were carried out by modified Kolsky method with using split Hopkinson pressure bar. The tests were performed at room temperature using a 20-mm PG-20 gas gun with the strain rate of ~10^3 s-1. The dependence of the dynamic ultimate strength of alumina on the grain size was found for the first time to have a non-monotonous character (with a maximum). The maximum value of the dynamic ultimate compression strength (SY = 1060 MPa) was provided at the mean grain size of ~2.9-3 mkm. The reduction of SY for alumina in the range of submicron grain sizes was shown to originate from the reduction of the relative density of the ceramics sintered at lower SPS temperatures., Comment: 16 pages, 1 table, 6 figures, 28 references