The Size and Shape Analysis of Titanium Particles in Composites from ZrO2 – Ti System

Abstract

The morphology ZrO2-Ti composites depends on used powders substrates, methods of forming and sintering conditions. In this study a composite from the nanosize ZrO2 powder stabilized by 3 mol% Y2O3 and 3 vol. % Ti powder with particle size about 15 μm was prepared. A composite material was formed by uniaxial pressing. Sintering process was conducted in an argon atmosphere at 1300°C with retention time 2h. The selected physical properties of the green body and sintered ZrO2-Ti composites were determined by Archimedes method. The microstructural characterization was carried out using the x-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) with EDS analysis. Stereological analysis by using computer programs was supported. The SEM observation and EDS analysis of the cross-section of the samples confirmed that the Ti particles are distributed homogenously in analysed areas. The EDS analysis revealed partial solution of titanium in ZrO2 matrix. Moreover, the x-ray diffraction exposed the existence of tetragonal zirconium oxide and titanium or a new phase from Ti-Zr-O system. The stereological analysis showed similarity between the starting particles of Ti powder and particles of titanium in the composite matrix.