Abstract
ZrO2-Ti composites containing 0–30 vol% Ti were fabricated by hot-press sintering method at 1350 °C from mixtures of ZrO2 (Here, 3 mol% yttrium-doped tetragonal-stabilized zirconia, 3Y-TZP) and TiH2 powders. The effects of Ti content on microstructures, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity were investigated. Surface cracks induced in ZrO2-Ti composites were healed using electrochemical anodization technique at room temperature to recover the degraded flexural strength. ZrO2-15 vol% Ti exhibited the highest fracture toughness with the value of 6.76 MPa·m1/2, which increased by 21% compared to monolithic ZrO2. Composites containing more than 15 vol% Ti exhibited excellent electrical conductivity (∼100 Ωcm). The percolation threshold volume for electrical conduction in the present system was calculated to be 13.9 vol%. Based on the excellent electrical conductivity, electrochemical anodization process was used to heal cracks introduced on the surface of these composites. After anodization with a current density of 2 A/dm2 for 3 h at room temperature, composites containing a crack of 112 μm in length and 0.3 μm in width was completely healed with a fully recovered flexural strength.
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