Abstract
Zirconia (yttria)–alumina ceramic nanocomposites were fabricated from different powders by spark plasma sintering (SPS). One powder was a commercially available nanocomposite powder TZP-3Y20A, consisting of 3mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (3-YSZ) reinforced with 20wt% alumina, and the other, used as a comparison, was a conventional mechanically mixed powder 3YSZ-20A, a blend made of 3mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia powder ZrO2 (3Y) and 20wt% α-alumina powder. The effect of the sintering temperature on the densification, the sintering behavior, the mechanical properties and the microstructure of the composites was investigated. The results showed that the density increased with increasing sintering temperature, and thus, the mechanical properties were strengthened because of the increased densification. The nanocomposite powder TZP-3Y20A was easily sintered, and good mechanical properties were achieved as compared with the powder from the conventional mechanically mixed method, the maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of which were 967MPa and 5.27MPam1/2, respectively.
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 call
