Zirconia based composite material and method of manufacturing the same product

摘要

A zirconia based composite material with improved strength and toughness includes a partially stabilized zirconia including 1.5 to 4.5 mol % of yttrium oxide as a matrix thereof and a metal phase of at least one metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten as metal grains dispersed in the matrix. The metal phase has a melting point higher than a sintering temperature of the partially stabilized zirconia. In addition, it is preferred that the composite material further contains a ceramic phase of at least one ceramic selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, SiC, Si3N4, B4C, carbides, nitrides and borides of titanium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten as ceramic grains dispersed in the matrix. The composite material of the present invention is manufactured by the following steps. A mixture is prepared by incorporating at least one first constituent forming the partially stabilized zirconia with at least one second constituent forming the metal phase, and if necessary, at least one third constituent forming the ceramic phase. The mixture is sintered in a non-oxidation atmosphere to obtain the composite material.