166
K. L. Meena and T. S. Srivatsan
prolonged sintering times, and (iii) low heating rates [30] that are often associated
with conventional sintering (CS).
The present study was focused on the development of ATZ composites by reinforcing alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) to the zirconia matrix and consolidating the composite
powder using the techniques of both conventional sintering (CS) and microwave
sintering (MW). The consolidated samples were then systematically evaluated for
their physical properties, mechanical properties, and microstructural characteristics.
Also, undertaken was a comparison of the phase analysis, microstructural characteristics, average grain size, relative density, microhardness, and fracture toughness
of the composite samples developed using the two chosen sintering techniques of
conventional sintering and microwave sintering.
Experimental Methods
Starting Materials
Powders of high purity, i.e., 99% purity, 3 mol. pct. Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia (3YSZ)
with an average particle size of 40 nm and a monoclinic phase was used as the matrix
material and procured from Zirox. Commercially available high purity (i.e., 99%
purity] α-Al 2 O 3 nanopowders, with an average particle size of 100 nm, was used as
the matrix material and procured from CUMI [Chennai, India]. The starting materials
in the form of powder were used as high purity, thermally reactive-type powders.
Development of the Composites
The procedure and steps taken for the production of nanocomposites used in this
research study was to carefully and cautiously blend powders of alumina (Al 2 O 3 )
with zirconia and consolidate the resultant mixture of powders using the techniques
of conventional sintering (CS) and microwave (MW) sintering. Two separate ceramic
composite samples were sintered using the approaches of conventional sintering [CS]
and microwave [MW] sintering and essentially based on the elemental percentages
provided in Table 1.
Table 1 Intended compositions for the alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) composite
Developed ATZ composite through
Zirconia
(vol.%)
Alumina
(vol.%)
Sintering temperature (°C)
CS
90
10
1600
MW
90
10
1600
K. L. Meena and T. S. Srivatsan
prolonged sintering times, and (iii) low heating rates [30] that are often associated
with conventional sintering (CS).
The present study was focused on the development of ATZ composites by reinforcing alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) to the zirconia matrix and consolidating the composite
powder using the techniques of both conventional sintering (CS) and microwave
sintering (MW). The consolidated samples were then systematically evaluated for
their physical properties, mechanical properties, and microstructural characteristics.
Also, undertaken was a comparison of the phase analysis, microstructural characteristics, average grain size, relative density, microhardness, and fracture toughness
of the composite samples developed using the two chosen sintering techniques of
conventional sintering and microwave sintering.
Experimental Methods
Starting Materials
Powders of high purity, i.e., 99% purity, 3 mol. pct. Yttria-Stabilized-Zirconia (3YSZ)
with an average particle size of 40 nm and a monoclinic phase was used as the matrix
material and procured from Zirox. Commercially available high purity (i.e., 99%
purity] α-Al 2 O 3 nanopowders, with an average particle size of 100 nm, was used as
the matrix material and procured from CUMI [Chennai, India]. The starting materials
in the form of powder were used as high purity, thermally reactive-type powders.
Development of the Composites
The procedure and steps taken for the production of nanocomposites used in this
research study was to carefully and cautiously blend powders of alumina (Al 2 O 3 )
with zirconia and consolidate the resultant mixture of powders using the techniques
of conventional sintering (CS) and microwave (MW) sintering. Two separate ceramic
composite samples were sintered using the approaches of conventional sintering [CS]
and microwave [MW] sintering and essentially based on the elemental percentages
provided in Table 1.
Table 1 Intended compositions for the alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) composite
Developed ATZ composite through
Zirconia
(vol.%)
Alumina
(vol.%)
Sintering temperature (°C)
CS
90
10
1600
MW
90
10
1600