Production of high-strength ceramic bodies of alumina and unstabilized zirconia with controlled microfissures

US4419311A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Nils Claussen · Schwäbisch Hall, DE
• Jorg Steeb · Stuttgart, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 6, 1981
• Grant date: Dec 6, 1983
• Expiry date: Jul 6, 2001

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C04B2237/704
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method of preparing a ceramic body of high toughness from an aluminum oxide matrix forming ceramic material by using a ceramic embedment material to generate tensile stresses for the formation of controlled microfissures, is provided. The ceramic embedment material comprises 4 to 25% of the volume of the body to be formed, of unstabilized zirconium dioxide and/or hafnium dioxide with a particle size of 0.3 to 1.25 um. This is mixed with the aluminum oxide material and the mixture is sintered by hot-pressing in a mold at a temperature of 1400.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C.