Alumina Toughened Zirconia Nanocomposite Incorporating Al ₂ O ₃ Whiskers

We investigated the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of an Al 2 O 3(n) + 70 wt% ZrO 2 ( TZ ‐ 3Y ) n nanocomposite with addition of 2.5 wt% Al 2 O 3 whiskers. Densities greater than 95% were reached after conventional sintering at 1500°C. The fracture toughness was increased 62% over pure Al 2 O 3 . Microcracking and crack deflection can be the mechanisms responsible to improve the fracture toughness. The use of ATZ composites with a low percent of whiskers can be a promising biomedical material for medical and dental applications given its large increase in fracture toughness over pure alumina and the observed relief from aging issues of zirconia.