Abstract
The mechanical milling of alumina in order to reduce grain sizes to ≤100 nm has been proposed as a means of reducing sintering temperatures and improving pressureless sintered density, particularly as a means of allowing co-firing with metallic components for biomedical implants. There is a persistent problem with contamination from the milling media, usually hardened steel which can be only partially alleviated by acid leaching. We have explored the use of alternative milling media with a view to reducing the levels of contamination. Alumina powders were milled with hardened steel, tungsten carbide, alumina and zirconia milling media under identical conditions of ball mass:powder mass ratio 10:1 and target milling times of 32 h. All of the milling media were found to cause unacceptable levels of contamination. Zirconia media gave the lowest contamination (3–4%) and in some circumstances, the addition of a small amount of zirconia may lead to increased toughness without loss of bio-compatibility.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
