초록 ▼

Novel partially stabilized zirconia ceramic compositions exhibiting improved toughness comprising: a major component consisting of ZrO2, a minor stabilizing component Y2O3 and an effective amount of a toughening agent (e.g., Ta2O5). The toughness of the tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (e.g., 96% ZrO

Novel partially stabilized zirconia ceramic compositions exhibiting improved toughness comprising: a major component consisting of ZrO2, a minor stabilizing component Y2O3 and an effective amount of a toughening agent (e.g., Ta2O5). The toughness of the tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (e.g., 96% ZrO2, 3 mole % Y2O3) can be increased nearly three-fold by replacing 1% of the ZrO2 with Ta2O5. Empirical equations based on ratios of fundamental lattice parameters (e.g. c/a) quantitatively relating to the stability/instability of tetragonal zirconia oxide are disclosed and used in a novel method for improving the toughness of the ceramic compositions.

대표청구항 ▼

A ceramic composition consisting essentially of: a major component consisting of ZrO2 present at about 93 to 97.5 mole precent, a minor stabilizing component selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, MgO, Sc2O3, IN2O3 and rare earth oxides present at about 2 to about 4 mole percent; and a tougheni

A ceramic composition consisting essentially of: a major component consisting of ZrO2 present at about 93 to 97.5 mole precent, a minor stabilizing component selected from the group consisting of Y2O3, MgO, Sc2O3, IN2O3 and rare earth oxides present at about 2 to about 4 mole percent; and a toughening agent selected from the group consisting of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 present at about 0.5 to about 3 mole percent.