Two Stage Sintering of 0.3 Wt% Fe2o3 Doped 3y-Tzp

Abstract

Y-TZP doped with 0.3 wt% Fe₂O₃ produced via two-stage sintering with first stage sintering temperature T₁ ranging between 1400°C to 1550°C, followed by second stage sintering temperature T₂ ranging between 1250°C and 1350°C followed by  dwelling time up to 12 hours. The samples were then evaluated on the microstructure, bulk density, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness. Based on observations, by employing optimum two-stage sintering schedule, the mechanical properties of 0.3 wt%  Fe₂O₃ doped Y-TZP can be enhanced as the samples achieved > 99% T.D., Vickers hardness > 13 GPa and Young’s modulus > 200 GPa compared to sample sintered via single stage sintering with 2 hours dwelling time. This research also reveals that the in addition to grain growth suppression of Y-TZP via doping route, the grain size can be further restrained by employing two-stage sintering.