Densification Behaviour and Mechanical Properties on MgO Doped Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) Prepared by Two-Stage Sintering

Abstract

The effect of doping small amounts of Magnesium Oxide ranging between 0 to 1 vol% on Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) composites which is one of main biomaterial used for production of total hip arthroplasty were investigated. The samples were produced via conventional two-stage sintering with T1 varies between 1450°C and 1550°C with heating rate of 20°C/min. The samples were then rapid cooled to T2 set at 1400°C with holding time of 12 hours. The microstructural and mechanical properties of the two-stage sintered ZTA are then investigated to determine the feasibility of MgO addition. Combination of two-stage sintering at T1 above 1500 and also small amount of MgO up to 0.5 vol% were shown to have positive effect on ZTA which exhibited improvement on its grain size, mechanical properties such as Vickers hardness, Young’s modulus and fracture toughness compared to undoped ZTA composites. The sample with 0.5 vol% MgO addition sintered at T1 of 1500°C and T2 1400°C was able to achieve Vickers hardness of 19.6 GPa, Young’s modulus of 408 GPa and fracture toughness of 6.8 MPam1/2 without significant grain growth compared to undoped ZTA composites.