Development and Characterization of Alsub2subOsub3sub 3Y-TZP for Cutting Tools

Inacio M.A., Nono M.C.A.

Abstract: Science and technology are advancing at a rapid pace and the ways in which they interact with economy, society and environment are becoming increasingly complex. Within this context, the ceramic materials become solution for some applications. Therefore the alumina ceramics are promising materials advanced. The alumina based ceramics are wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and lightweight materials, and are superior to many materials with regard to stability in high-temperature environments. Another available class of ceramic is based on zirconia which exhibits very high strength and good toughness but shows relatively poor hardness. The strength and toughness of an alumina ceramic may be enhanced by incorporating tetragonal zirconia particles in alumina matrix. In Alsub2subOsub3sub matrix the t-ZrOsub2sub grains undergo the known tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation due mainly by stress induced, and microcracks form around existing m-ZrOsub2sub grains (microcrack formation). The objective of this work is to develop materials with mechanical proprieties to apply as cutting tools. For this, ceramic cutting inserts produced from Alsub2subOsub3sub3Y-ZrOsub2sub nano (AlZ) and 3Y-ZrOsub2sub nanoAlsub2subOsub3sub (ZTA) systems have been investigated with the objective to analyse the effect of 3Y-ZrOsub2sub nano addition on mechanical properties. The two compositions studied were developed by mixture route and compacted by cold uniaxial pressing and sintered at 1600 deg; C. The results showed an appropriate balance among the Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and densities (98 ) which enable the employment of these ceramic as cutting tool inserts.

Keywords: Alsub2subOsub3sub3Y-TZP, cutting tools, advanced ceramic, microstructure, mechanical properties