Abstract
Fine-grained 3Y-TZP/β-Al2O3 (-NaAl11O17) composites have been prepared by pressureless sintering of planetary-ball-milled 3Y-TZP and, β-Al2O3 powders. In the composites, β-Al2O3 particles with about 0.2-3μm in size were homogeneously dispersed in the TZP matrix with the grain size of-200 nm. The β-Al2O3 addition slightly improved Vickers hardness and fracture strength. Fracture toughness of the composite, however, was almost the same as that of the pure TZP and neither crack bridging nor crack deflection was observed for the composites. This result indicates that rather strong bonding may exist between 3Y-ZrO2 matrix and fine β-Al2O3 particles.
