Mechanical Properties of PSZ-Matrix Ceramic Composites Containing Al_2O_3 Particles of Various Sizes

摘要

Incorporating Al_2O_3 into PSZ not only improves the thermal stability of PSZ ceramics but also leads to cost reduction because Al_2O_3 powder is generally much less expensive than PSZ powder. In the present study, 3mol% Y_2O_3-ZrO_2, (3Y-PSZ) matrix composites containing up to vol% Al_2O_3 with average particle sizes of 0.4, 1.8, and 6.5 μm were fabricated by pressureless sintering. The content and size effects of the Al_2O_3 dispersion particles on the fracture strength and fracture toughness/resistance were investigated.