The purpose of this study was to investigate the microstructures and mechanical properties of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics prepared from two kinds of 3Y-TZP powders. ZTA composites were prepared by adding two kinds of 3Y-TZP powders, 3YEH (BET = 7m2/g) and 3YEM (BET = 16m2/g), to α-alumina in the range of 5-25 wt%. It was found that the microstructure photographs of the ZTA composites showed that the average grain size of alumina decreased as the content of zirconia increased. In our present study, specimens containing 3YEM zirconia exhibited smaller grain sizes compared to those of 3YEH zirconia. The Vickers hardness of the ZTA composites that were sintered at 1600˚C for 2 hrs was found to smoothly decrease with increasing zirconia content because of the low Young modulus in zirconia. The Vickers hardness of the ZTA containing 3YEH zirconia was greater than that of the 3YEM zirconia. In substance, the fracture toughness (K1c) of the ZTA composites increased as the content of zirconia increased. The fracture toughness (K1c) of ZTA containing 3YEM zirconia was greater than that of 3YEH zirconia.

• 손정호(가야대학교 항만물류학부) | Sohn, Jeongho
• 신형섭( 가야대학교 안경광학과) | 신형섭