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Properties of Injection Moulded Alumina-Toughened Zirconia

F. Kern, R. Gadow

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 1 (2011), pp. 47-54

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2010-00019

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Abstract

Alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) materials are suitable materials for a variety of biomedical applications owing to their high strength, toughness and hydrothermal stability. The prospect of being able to offer ceramic implants to a broader group of patients requires a more cost-efficient near-net-shape manufacturing approach. Small and complex-shaped components can be efficiently mass-produced by means of ceramic injection moulding (CIM) with high surface quality and low dimensional tolerances. Compared to the state-of-the-art cold and hot isostatic pressing cycles commonly used for implant production, CIM technology does suffer from lower microstructural quality. During the thermally and rheologically transient mould-filling process, inevitably a certain number of defects are induced by flow textures, weld lines and micro-segregation. A higher level of toughness is therefore beneficial to keep strength and damage tolerance on a sufficiently high level. In order to improve thetoughness of ATZ, in-situ platelet reinforcement with strontium hexaaluminate precipitates was introduced. The influence on processing behaviour, strength and toughness of as-manufactured and final-machined platelet-containing and platelet-free 2.5Y-TZP/15 vol% alumina composites was investigated. Platelets improve the mechanical properties. Weibull statistics show that platelet addition leads to drastic improvements in reliability.

Keywords

ATZ, CIM, platelets, Weibull statistics, toughening

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