Sintering support comprising fully stabilized zirconia outer surface and crystalline phase composition, and method of making thereof

A sintering support comprising a fully stabilized zirconia outer surface;

• wherein the sintering support withstands sintering a ceramic part in contact with the outer surface without adhesion between the outer surface and the ceramic part;
• wherein the sintering support is selected from the group consisting of a plurality of rods and a plurality of beads;
• wherein at least the stabilized zirconia outer surface comprises a crystalline phase composition, at least 40 percent by weight of which is a stabilized zirconia-containing crystalline phase;
• wherein the stabilized zirconia-containing crystalline phase contains at least one stabilizing element in an amount sufficient to stabilize the zirconia-containing crystalline phase at the outer surface;
• wherein the stabilized zirconia-containing crystalline phase is selected from the group consisting of a cubic zirconia structure, a pyrochlore structure, a perovskite structure, and a combination thereof;
• and
• wherein the cubic zirconia structure is stabilized by CaO, MgO, SrO, BaO, or a combination thereof.