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2.75Yb-TZP Ceramics with High Strength and Aging Resistance

F. Kern

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 3 (2011), pp. 147-154

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2011-00020

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Abstract

Tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) ceramics for biomedical applications such as hip, knee or dental implants require good mechanical properties (hardness, toughness and strength) as well as low-temperature degradation (LTD) resistance. State-of-the-art Y-TZP and Ce-TZP do, however, suffer from deficiencies with regard to one of these aspects. Shifting to other rare earth stabilizers may help solve this problem. 2.75Yb-TZP powder doped with 0.5 vol% alumina was produced from pyrogenic nanopowder via the nitrate route. Samples were produced by means of hot pressing at 1200 – 1400 °C for 1 h at 60 MPa axial pressure. Mechanical properties, phase composition and microstructure were investigated. LTD behaviour was examined with an accelerated aging test in an autoclave at 134 °C in water vapour. 2.75Yb-TZP has very high strength and hardness as well as moderate toughness. Degradation in water vapour is slight in the time frame relevant for implants.

Keywords

Zirconia, mechanical properties, microstructure, low-temperature degradation, ytterbia

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