Alumina/Zirconia Micro/Nanocomposites: A New Material for Biomedical Applications With Superior Sliding Wear Resistance

Abstract

In the present investigation, the sliding wear behavior is described for Al 2 O 3 /ZrO 2 micro/nanocomposites and monolithic alumina of similar grain size under defined conditions of a constant sliding speed and different loads (20-150 N). Nano ZrO 2 particles (1.7 vol%) were observed uniformly distributing throughout the composites, and most of them were located within the matrix alumina grains. The wear rate of the alumina and the micro/nanocomposites increased as the contact load increased and a clear transition in friction and wear behavior was observed in both materials. However, the nanocomposite wear resistance at low contact loads was one order of magnitude higher than that of the alumina. In the severe regime, no difference was observed among the materials. The low wear rate (10 À7 mm 3 . (N . m) À1) along with low pullout indicates higher wear resistance of micro/nanocomposites in the mild regime compared with monolithic alumina. Based on the morphological observation of worn surfaces by scanning electron microscope and on residual stress analysis performed by neutron diffraction, some wear mechanisms of Al 2 O 3 -ZrO 2 micro/nanocomposites are proposed. The high wear resistance of the nanocomposites is discussed in terms of fracture resistance properties and residual stress. Improvements in mechanical and tribological properties of these composites make them promising candidates for biomedical applications.

Mechanical properties of alumina–zirconia–Nb micro–nano-hybrid composites

“…Here the concept of tailoring strength by inhibition of crack initiation makes use of the heterogeneous thermoelastic properties of the micro-nano hybrid composite phases. Due to thermal expansion misfit, the ceramic matrix is set under compressive residual stresses [39]. Therefore, the critical applied tensile stress for crack initiation is shifted to a higher level.…”

A facile approach to the synthesis of non-porous and microporous sub-micron spherical zirconia and alumina–zirconia solid solution

“…For example, the addition of small quantities of alumina to zirconia leads to aid densification and reduction in grain growth during the sintering [5,6,9,14,17,18]. Accordingly, a facile synthetic method for large scale production of ultra fine particles of zirconia and zirconia solid solutions namely alumina doped zirconia is absent.…”

“…For instance, they have been used in the fields of solid oxide fuel cells, oxygen sensors, electro-optical materials, catalysts, high performance transformation-toughened structural engineering ceramics and bioceramics, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Accordingly, great efforts have been expended in the synthesis approaches of the material with controlling the size and shape of the particles.…”

In situ measurement of lattice strains in mixed ceramic cutting tools under thermal and mechanical loads using synchrotron radiation

“…Also in alumina/zirconia micro/nanocomposites for biomedical applications Bartolomé et al. determined residual strain and stress distributions to gain a higher understanding of the materials wear mechanisms [13]. Gibmeier et al reported that in indentation tests microhardness is highly affected by residual stresses [14].…”