Two-Stage Sintering of Alumina-Y-TZP (Al2O3/Y-TZP) Composites

Abstract

Alumina-Y-TZP composites between 0 to 25 vol% Y-TZP content produced via conventional two-stage sintering with T1 ranging between 1400°C and 1550°C, heating rate of 20°C/min, followed by T2 of 1350°C and 12 hours dwelling time. The microstructure, density, Vickers hardness (HV), Young’s modulus (E) and fracture toughness (KIC) of the sintered samples were then evaluated. It is observed that all samples up to 10 vol% Y-TZP achieved > 98% T.D. as the T1 increases. Samples with Y-TZP content above 10 vol% resulted in a significant decrease in density and hardness. Samples with ≤ 10 vol% Y-TZP sintered at T1 of 1450°C was able to achieve density > 98% T.D., Vickers hardness > 18 GPa and Young’s modulus > 380 GPa and fracture toughness > 6 MPam1/2 when compared to pure Al2O3 ceramics.