Design of a New Zirconia–Alumina–Ta Micro‐Nanocomposite with Unique Mechanical Properties

2Y‐ TZP /Al 2 O 3 hybrid nanoparticles prepared by CO 2 laser covaporization (Co LAVA ) were wet mixed with biocompatible lamellar Ta metal particles (20 vol%) and consolidated by spark plasma sintering. The microstructure and mechanical properties of this novel ceramic–metal composite have been studied. The achieved results demonstrate that both the homogeneity of the 2Y‐ TZP /Al 2 O 3 nanocomposite matrix and the reinforcement with a micrometer‐sized ductile phase are prerequisites for the successful design and fabrication of ceramic–metal composites with high strength (1300 MPa), enhanced fracture toughness (16 MPa·m 1/2 ), and improved low‐temperature degradation resistance.