Phase stability and mechanical properties of TZP with a low mixed Nd2O3/Y2O3 stabiliser content

The phase assembly of 1.0-5.0mol% Nd2O3-doped ZrO2 sintered at 1400 degrees C revealed that the tetragonal ZrO2 phase could [lot be completely stabilised. Co-stabilising of 0.5-2.5mol% Nd2O3 With 0.5-1.0mol% Y2O3, however, allowed the preparation of fully dense (Nd,Y)-TZP ceramics by pressureless sintering in air at 1450 degrees C. The mixed stabiliser monoclinic zirconia nanopowder starting material was synthesized from a Suspension of neodymium nitrate, yttrium nitrate and monoclinic zirconia powder in an alcohol/water mixture. A HV30 hardness of 10GPa combined with ail excellent indentation toughness of 13 MPa m(1/2) could be achieved for the (1.0Nd, 1.0Y)- and (1.5Nd, 1.0Y)-TZP ceramics. The influence of the mixed stabiliser content on the phase stability and mechanical properties are investigated and discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.status: publishe