In this work, the influence of Al2O3 addition on the tetragonal ZrO2 ceramic properties was studied, aiming the use of this ceramic as dental materials. Samples containing 0, 10, 20 e 30 wt.% were cold pressed (80 MPa), and sintered in air, at 1500, 1550 e 1600 °C, for 120 min. The effects of the sintering conditions were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Hardness and fracture toughness were determined by Vicker's indentation method. Furthermore, samples were submitted to the 4 point bending test. Dense ceramics were obtained, with hardness values varying around 13.4 and 15.8 GPa, depending on the Al2O3 content added in the ZrO2 matrix. On the other hand, no significant difference in the fracture toughness was detected by the Al2O3 addition, with K IC around 8 MPa.m½, in all conditions. The high hardness, fracture toughness, flexural strength (sigmaf = 685 MPa) and reliability (m=11) presented by the ceramic composites with 20wt.% Al2O3, indicates the potential of these materials as bioceramics for dental materials.
ZrO2; Al2O3; sintering; mechanical properties
