Effect of microwave sintering on the properties of copper oxide doped alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ)

• Main Authors: Abbas M.K.G., Ramesh S., Tasfy S.F.H., Lee K.Y.S.
• Other Authors: 24476291800
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Editora Ltda 2024
• Subjects: Alumina-zirconia; Copper oxide; Hydrothermal ageing; Mechanical properties; Microwave sintering; Sintering additive; Additives; Aluminum oxide; Ductile fracture; Fracture toughness; Microwave heating; Phase stability; Sintered alumina; Sintering; Temperature; Vickers hardness; Zirconia; Composite ceramic; Densifications; Doped alumina; Optimum doping; Property; Sintering additives; Sintering temperatures; Copper oxides

This study investigated the effect of copper oxide addition on the alumina toughened zirconia composite ceramic using microwave sintering. CuO amounts (0.05�1 wt%) were examined at sintering temperatures (1250�1500 �C). Investigations covered hardness, toughness, phase stability, microstructure, and densification. Optimum doping was 0.2 wt%, resulting in a composite with 99% relative density at 1500 �C, Vickers hardness of 13.1 GPa, and fracture toughness of 7.1 MPa m1/2. Low-temperature degradation showed disrupted phase stability above 1400 �C, with CuO unable to prevent ageing-induced phase transformation. � 2023 The Author(s)