On the density calculation of fabricated zirconia toughened alumina by unconventional method

Abstract

Aim of the paper is to fabricate zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) by varying compaction pressure and sintering temperature from commercially available ZTA powder in the laboratory and postulate an unconventional method for estimating the bulk density in the zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) apart from conventional Archimedes principle method. The operating parameters have been selected to investigate the void fraction at different sintered conditions. The densities of the as sintered specimens are estimated from the micrograph taken at different positions of the specimens with the help of image processing method using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results are compared with the conventional one and found a deviation of minimum and maximum of ∼ 3.34 and ∼ 5.95 % respectively. The said method can be considered for approximating the voids more precisely since during the conventional Archimedes method, the medium remains unable to reach into the core of each pore completely. At higher temperature the grain growth increases which in turn densifies the overall composite structure and thus leading to the pore reduction.