Abstract
Composites of yttria neodymia co-stabilized zirconia, 24-32 vol.% nanoscale tungsten carbide and 0.5-10 vol.% alumina were manufactured by hot pressing and characterized in terms of mechanical properties, phase composition, microstructure and electric discharge machinability. Addition of 10 vol.% alumina leads to an increase in hardness and Young’s modulus and an in average slightly higher bending strength. The transformability of the zirconia matrix and thereby fracture toughness is reduced by alumina addition. In EDM alumina reduces the thickness of the re-solidified layer, reduces surface defects and leads to smoother surfaces especially at high discharge currents, the effect on material removal rate is negligible.
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