Mechanical Properties and Erosive Wear Resistance of Zirconia Toughened Al₂O₃-TiC Ceramics

The effect of ZrO₂, content on the fracture toughness, flexural strength and Vickers hardness as well as the erosive wear resistant properties of zirconia toughened Al₂O₃-TiC ceramic composites has been investigated. The results showed that the improvement in fracture toughness and flexure strength of composites with the content of zirconia less than 50% and 10% in mass fraction respectively,is primarily attributed to stress-induced transformation toughening by the analyse of X-ray diffraction. The dependance of erosion wear resistance on the attack angle and the content of ZrO₂, panicles of the composites was also revealed. It is found that the erosion rate of the composites has a sharp rise at a attack angle over 65°. This phenomenon is due to a brittle response to the erosion test by microsmictural observation on eroded surface.