Abstract: In order to obtain continuous zirconia fibres with high melting point and mechanical properties, newly-produced zirconium acetate was used as a precursor to synthesize
a sol containing Zr-O chains by a sol-gel process and continuous zirconia fibres were produced by dry spinning. The spectral and thermal properties of zirconium
acetate were studied. The sintered fibres were observed by SEM, and their XRD results analyzed, while their tensile strength tested. The results show that a long chain
of Zr-O bond exists in zirconium acetate precursor and the sol has good spinnability and stability. The obtained fibres with diameter under 20μm have certain tensile
strength and toughness. 5mol% Y-doping is effective on stabilizing the tetragonal phase of zirconia.

Key words: zirconium acetate, zirconia, continuous fibres