Comparison of microwave and conventionally sintered yttria doped zirconia ceramics and hydroxyapatite-zirconia nanocomposites

Mark R. Towler, Stuart Hampshire, Colin J. Reidy, Declan J. Curran, Thomas J. Fleming

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Comparisons of microwave and conventional sintering of zirconia and hydroxyapatite (HA) -zirconia bodies were investigated in order to understand how microwave energy may affect the physical and mechanical properties of the materials for use in biomedical applications. Powder compacts of commercial nano-sized ZrO2, with 2 to 5 mol% Y2O3, and mixtures of laboratory synthesised nano-sized HA with 0-10 wt% zirconia were microwave and conventionally sintered at temperatures up to 1450°C for the zirconia and 1200°C for the composites with the same heating profile and a 1h hold time. Microwave sintering improves physical and mechanical properties of Y2O3-doped ZrO2 ceramics compared with conventional sintering. Compositions containing 2 mol% Y2O 3 exhibit the greatest improvement due to retention of tetragonal ZrO2, with higher relative density, 22% increase in Young's modulus and a 165% increase in biaxial flexural strength compared with conventional sintering. Significant grain growth occurred in microwave sintered samples which is thought to be related to enhanced diffusional effects during microwave sintering. HA-ZrO2 composites exhibited densities of only 80% with corresponding open porosities. Nanosized ZrO2 prevents the densification of the HA matrix by effectively pinning grain boundaries and this effect is more pronounced in microwave sintered ceramics. Nanocomposites microwave sintered at 1200°C showed similar strengths to those produced by conventional sintering but with higher volume fraction open porosity. Increased open porosity is considered to be useful for biomedical applications to promote osteo-integration.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvanced Processing and Manufacturing Technologies for Structural and Multifunctional Materials V - A Collection of Papers Presented at the 35th Int.Conf on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC
PublisherAmerican Ceramic Society
Pages17-26
Number of pages10
Edition8
ISBN (Print)9781118059937
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventAdvanced Processing and Manufacturing Technologies for Structural and Multifunctional Materials V - 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC - Daytona Beach, FL, United States
Duration: 23 Jan 201128 Jan 2011

Publication series

NameCeramic Engineering and Science Proceedings
Number8
Volume32
ISSN (Print)0196-6219

Conference

ConferenceAdvanced Processing and Manufacturing Technologies for Structural and Multifunctional Materials V - 35th International Conference on Advanced Ceramics and Composites, ICACC
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDaytona Beach, FL
Period23/01/1128/01/11

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