Hard, tough and strong ZrO2–WC composites from nanosized powders

摘要: Yttria-stabilised zirconia (Y-TZP) based composites with a tungsten carbide (WC) content up to 50 vol.% were prepared from nanopowders by means of conventional hot pressing. The mechanical properties investigated as function the WC content. hardness increased 12.3 GPa for pure Y-TZP 16.4 composite WC, whereas bending strength reached maximum 1551 MPa 20 composite. toughness could be optimised judicious adjustment overall yttria mixing monoclinic and 3 mol% Y2O3 co-precipitated ZrO2 starting powders. An optimum fracture 9 m 1/2 was obtained 40% an 2 mol%. hardness, well ultrafine grained nanosized source significantly higher than micron-sized WC. experimentally measured contribution different observed toughening mechanisms evaluated Transformation found major mechanism in ZrO2–WC 30 crack deflection bridging is significant at secondary phase above vol.%. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.