An investigation on microstructural and mechanical properties of porous zirconia-alumina nanocomposite prepared by solid state sintering method

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to fabricate zirconia-nano alumina porous nanocomposites with different amount of alumina (0-30 Wt.%). Specimens were prepared by solid state sintering method at different temperature (1,400-1,700°C). Design/methodology/approach Effects of processing temperature and amount of alumina on microstructure, distribution of nanoparticles, flexural and compressive strengths, micro-hardness and densification were investigated. Findings Results indicated that interpenetration of particles and their contacts increased by increasing sintering temperature. As a consequence of better particles contacts and microstructure coarsening, the porosity decreased. As alumina nanoparticles content increased, the amount of porosity decreased conversely and distribution of pores become more uniform. Simultaneous enhancement of temperature and alumina nanoparticles content caused an improvement of flexural and compressive strengths because of an improvement of sintering process resulted from porosity reduction. Increase in hardness and density were observed as porosity values diminished and alumina nanoparticles were distributed well at micro zirconia grain boundaries as a result of increasing the process temperature. Originality/value This article contains original research.