Microstructural study of SiO2 doped 3 mol % (Y2O3 + Al2O3): ZrO2 composites

Abstract

In this project, 3 mol % Y2O3 stabilized ZrO2 and mixture of 3 mol % Y2O3 and Al2O3 stabilized ZrO2 have been prepared via precipitation route using hydrazine hydrate. The as-synthesized powders were pelletized and sintered at 1200¢XC for 2h. Phase pure t-ZrO2 was obtained for 3 mol % (Y2O3 + Al2O3): ZrO2 sintered pellet. To study the microstructural development of this composite material, two different weight of 0.05g and 0.1g of fumed SiO2 powders were mixed thoroughly with the calcined (600¢XC) 3 mol % (Y2O3 + Al2O3): ZrO2 powders. All these mixed powders were pelletized and sintered at 1200¢XC, 1300¢XC, 1400¢XC and 1500¢XC for 2h. AP, BD was calculated for these sintered composite materials. XRD was performed using Cu-KƒÑ radiation on these powders. FE-SEM was performed to study the microstructure of these composite materials. It was found that addition of SiO2 modify the microstructure of 3 mol % (Y2O3 + Al2O3): ZrO2 composites and may be possible for dental application.