Enhancing the mechanical performance of Alumina - Zirconia Bioceramics composites via microwave processing

Abstract

Microwave sintering has shown a remarkable advantages in material processing including ceramics. The unique microwave heating mechanism where heat is generated from within the core of the sample to the rest of the body has made the distribution of heat more uniform. This study will cover the effect of manipulating the heating rate by using monomode microwave fast sintering on the mechanical and physical properties of 90Al2O3-10YSZ ceramics composites with 30 minutes soaking time and 900°C temperature. A few samples of 90Al2O3-10YSZ ceramics will be fabricated through powder metallurgy techniques. So density, hardness and compression test was investigated to those samples in order to achieve the objective. High density and low porosity is achieved by the 90Al2O3-10YSZ sample sintered with 30°C/min heating rate. Meanwhile for hardness test, the highest value was obtained from the 90Al2O3-10YSZ sample sintered at 20°C/min heating rate. This is due to some alteration occurs on the body of the sample sintered at 30°C/min. In compression test, it show significant relation between hardness and strength. 90Al2O3-10YSZ sample with the lowest hardness reading exhibit the highest compressive strength. Microstructure observation using SEM shows a formation of pores between grain boundaries on the surface of 90Al2O3- 10YSZ sample sintered at 30°C/min heating rate.