The Formation of ZrO.sub.2-Ti Composites by Spark Plasma Sintering

• Published in: Powder metallurgy and metal ceramics Vol. 55; no. 11-12; p. 644
• Main Authors: Lada, P, Miazga, A, Wozniak, J, Konopka, K, Olszyna, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 01-03-2017
• Subjects: Hardness (Materials); Powders (Particulate matter); Sintering; X-ray diffraction; Zirconium; Zirconium oxide
• ISSN: 1068-1302
• DOI: 10.1007/s11106-017-9851-2

The preliminary analysis of the ZrO.sub.2-Ti composite is conducted. The samples are prepared from the nanosized ZrO.sub.2 powder stabilized with 3 mol.% Y.sub.2O.sub.3 and 10 vol.% Ti powder with particles ~15 [mu]m in size. The samples are formed by spark plasma sintering. The spark plasma sintering parameters are: temperature 1350°C, pressure 20 MPa, and duration 10 min. All process is carried out in argon. The density of the sintered ZrO.sub.2-Ti composites is determined by the Archimedes method. The microstructural characterization is carried out using X-ray diffraction and a scanning electron microscope. Additionally, the hardness and fracture toughness are measured. The obtained composite samples have a density of ~98-99% of the theoretical value. The homogenous distribution of titanium in zirconia matrix is SEM-confirmed. Moreover, the existence of a new phase in the Ti-Zr-O system is revealed by the X-ray diffraction analysis.