Abstract: “An investigation has been carried out into the effects of magnesium oxide additions in the 0.1 to 1.0 wt% range on the properties and behavior of Y-TZP. All samples have been sintered over the temperature range of 1200°C to 1500°C with a ramp rate of 10°C/ minute and 2 hours of holding time. Upon reaching the peak temperature, the sintering temperature was immediately brought down to a holding temperature of 1250°C and held for 4 hours. Green samples were compacted by uniaxial pressing and cold isostatically pressed at 200 MPa. The results show that the addition of 0.3 wt% MgO was effective in aiding densification (~99% theoretical density). The MgO addition to the Y-TZP matrix also displayed an increment of flexural strength as the content increased. Bulk density and Vickers hardness show the beneficial effect of MgO in aiding the densification of Y-TZP ceramics.”

Keywords: Magnesium Oxide; sintering behavior; Y-TZP