Abstract: “The effect on densification and mechanical properties of 3 mol% Y-TZP ceramics doped with niobium oxide (0.1 wt. % to 1 wt. %), has been investigated in this study. Green samples were compacted by uniaxial pressing and cold isostatically pressed at 200 MPa. All samples have been sintered over the temperature range of 1250°C to 1500°C with a ramp rate of 10°C/ minute and 2 hours of holding time. The sintered bodies were examined to determine the phase content, bulk density, Vickers hardness and flexural strength of the Y-TZP material. The results showed that the addition of 1 wt. % Nb2O5 was effective in aiding densification (~99% theoretical density). It also improved the Vickers hardness (~13 GPa), when the samples were sintered below 1300°C compared to the undoped Y-TZP sintered at the same temperature. The Nb2O5 addition to the Y-TZP matrix also displayed an increment of flexural strength as the dopant content was increased.”

Keywords: Niobium Pentoxide; sintering behaviour; Y-TZP; Ageing