Sintered ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composite and its mechanical appraisal

Abstract

This work mainly considered the effect of different TiO2 additions and of sintering temperatures on the structural change, densification and mechanical properties of ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composites obtained by cold compaction and subsequent sintering. The results demonstrated that the structural transformation happens from pristine monoclinic zirconia into tetragonal zirconia, amount of cubic phase in as-obtained ZrO2–TiO2 specimens could be distinguished as well. The increasing concentration of TiO2 addition facilitated lower the sintering temperature and densification of ZrO2 matrix. The grain growth and bulk density of ZrO2–TiO2 ceramic composites varied with the sintering temperatures and dopant concentrations. Full evaluation of the role of TiO2 addition and sintering temperature on the mechanical properties of ZrO2–TiO2 samples was carried out in terms of Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness. In particular, the ZrO2 matrix with a value of 5 wt % TiO2 generated the desired flexural strength and fracture toughness at the sintering temperature of 1400 °C.