Microstructure Characterization of Composite from ZrO2 – Ti System

Abstract

AbstractIn this work the microstructure analysis of composite from ZrO2– Ti system were presented. For the preparation of the composite samples nanometric ZrO2powder stabilized by 3 mol% of Y2O3and micrometric titanium powder were used. The composites with 10 vol.% addition of titanium particles were prepared by slip casting method. The sintering process was conducted at 1450°C with 2 hours’ dwell time, in the inert atmosphere of argon. The microstructure observations were carried out with the use of SEM and STEM microscopes. The quantitative analysis and stereological characterization were performed. The SEM and STEM observations allowed characterizing the microstructure of composite samples. Especially, the interface between titanium particles and zirconia matrix was described. The growth of the zirconia grains around the Ti rich areas was observed. The increase of the zirconia grains size results from the reaction on the interface between titanium particle and zirconia matrix during the sintering process.