Abstract
The effect of monoclinic $ZrO_2$(pure) and tetragonal $ZrO_2$ containing 5.35wt% $Y_2$$O_3$(Y-TZP) addition on the mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of $Al_2$$O_3$ ceramic were investigated. The addition of $ZrO_2$(m) and Y-TZP increased sintering density of $Al_2$$O_3$. The vickers hardness increased with increasing the volume fraction of Y-TZP going through a maximum at 20wt%. The hardness of the specimens was found to be depend on the sintering density. With increasing the volume fraction of $ZrO_2$(m) and Y-TZP, the fracture toughness of the composite is increased. This result may be taken as evidence that toughening of ${Al_2}{O_3}$ can also be achieved by the transformation toughening and microcrack toughening of $ZrO_2$. The property of the& shock for ${Al_2}{O_3}$-$ZrO_2$ composites was improved by increasing the volume fraction of monoclinic $ZrO_2$(pure).Grain size increased with increasing the volume fraction of $ZrO_2$.
