Submicron-scale duplex zirconia and alumina composite by polymer complexation processing

A submicron-scale, duplex microstructure of pure zirconia and alumina in 1:1 volume ratio has been achieved via a polymer complexation process. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) in an alcohol base was used as a polymeric carrier to synthesize homogeneous and stable, mixed-oxide, amorphous powders. After calcination at 1350 °C for 1 h, the powders were fully crystallized. To make highly sinterable, submicron powder, the amorphous precursor was calcined at 600 °C and attrition milled for 5 h. Densification above 99% relative density was obtained by hot-pressing at a comparatively low temperature of 1450 °C for 30 min, under 30 MPa in vacuum. The submicron-scale microstructure, which contained 86 vol% t-ZrO₂, had a flexural strength of approximately 800 MPa.