Preparation and characterization of a dispersion toughened ceramic for thermomechanical uses (ZTA). Part I: Material preparation. Characterization of microstructure

Abstract Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) materials containing increasing amounts of zirconia (5–45 vol.%) and yttria (0–3 mol% zirconia) were prepared from commercial ceramic powders by different techniques of homogenization, shaping and sintering. The powder mixtures were homogenized by a chemical method (addition of dispersing agents at fixed pH), by a mechanical method (attrition milling) and by combining the two methods. The materials were formed and sintered following two ways: 1. (i) Shaping by isostatic pressing or slip casting, followed by pressureless sintering. 2. (ii) Hot uniaxial pressing. The physical, crystallographical and microstructural properties of the materials prepared following these different techniques are compared.