The Effect of Ta2O5 on the Densification Behaviour and Mechanical Properties of Zirconia-Toughened Alumina (ZTA) Composites Prepared by Two-Stage Sintering

Abstract

By 2050, 130 million people are estimated to suffer from osteoarthritis worldwide which would require patients to undergo total hip replacement procedure which have a lifespan of 20 years and failure rates of ~1%. In this research, Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) which is the main biomaterial used for total hip arthroplasty were doped with varying vol % of Tantalum Oxide (Ta2O5) from 0 to 0.4 vol % were produced through conventional two-stage sintering with first stage sintering temperature, ranging between 1400°C and 1550°C, heated at 20°C/min, followed by second stage sintering temperature of 1350°C and hold for 12 hours. The efficacy of two-stage sintering on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the sintered samples were then evaluated. Addition of Ta2O5 combined with two-stage sintering were able to produce ZTA composites with enhanced grain size and mechanical properties compared to undoped ZTA composites. The samples with 0.3 vol% Ta2O5 content and above sintered at T1 ≥1450°C achieved density > 99% T.D., Vickers hardness > 19 GPa, Young’s modulus > 400 GPa and fracture toughness > 6 MPam1/2 when compared to undoped ZTA composites. This would enable production of ZTA with improved mechanical properties and lifespan ensuring the well-being of people suffering from osteoarthritis.