Correlation between Casting Parameters and Mechanical Properties of an Al2O3-ZrO2 Composite

Slip casting parameters and mechanical properties were analysed for several different slip casting compositions of tetragonal zirconia-toughened alumina (Al2O3-t-ZrO2). The slurries were prepared with the same weight ratio of the two solid phases, 70/30 for alumina and zirconia respectively, but with a different solid to liquid ratio and different pH of the suspensions. Distinctive features of the green and sintered bodies were shown to be highly dependent on the rheological characteristics of the slurries. Some effects on the final mechanical properties were also found.