Process for preparing pieces composed of solid electrolyte based on stabilized zircon and to pieces obtained by this process

Process for preparing a piece of solid electrolyte based on stabilized zircon, comprising the following steps of:

• (a) preparing an alcoholic solution of a salt of zirconium, a salt of a metal stabilizing the zircon and an aluminium salt, the content of said salt of aluminum in said solution being such that it corresponds to a composition of solid electrolyte comprising up to 2% in moles of alumina;
• (b) forming from said solution a coprecipitate of hydroxide of zirconium, hydroxide of said metal and aluminium hydroxide;
• (c) separating the precipitate thus obtained;
• (d) washing said precipitate by means of a hydrophilic solvent to eliminate the major part of the water;
• (e) drying the precipitate thus washed at a temperature lower than 100.degree. C. to eliminate the rest of the water;
• (f) calcining it in air;
• (g) forming, from the powder obtained by calcination of said precipitate, a blank of said piece by compression of said powder;
• (h) and sintering the blank thus obtained in an atmosphere of hydrogen.