Effect of Al2O3 Addition on the Mechanical Properties of Biocompatible ZrO2-Al2O3 Composites

In this work, the effects of alumina additions on the properties of the ZrO2-Al2O3 ceramic composites were investigated. Samples of ZrO2 with Al2O3 additions varying between 0 and 30wt-% were prepared. The powder mixtures were milled, compacted by uniaxial cold pressing and sintered at 16000C, in air, for 2 hours. The sintered samples were characterized by their relative density, phase composition and microstructure. As mechanical properties at room temperature, their Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were determined: In all sintering conditions and Al2O3 amounts, the samples presented relative density higher that 99%. The Al2O3 addition produces a linear increase of the hardness, reaching values between 1350 and 1610 HV for the addition of 0 and 30% of alumina, respectively. The fracture toughness was near to 8 MPam1/2 in all conditions. The phase composition, microstructure and relative density were correlated in order to interpret the mechanical properties obtained.