Structural, mechanical, morphological and optical imaging characteristics of Yb3+ substituted zirconia toughened alumina

•Yb3+ substitutions in ZTA accomplish better structural stability at elevated temperatures.•Yb3+ accommodates at the ZrO2 component of ZTA.•Substitution limit of Yb3+ in ZrO2 is 50 mol. %.•ZTA delivers emission and CT features due to Yb3+ incorporation.•Better mechanical features achieved by Yb3+ substituted ZTA. A series of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) system with varied concentrations of Yb3+ substitution were synthesized. The influence of Yb3+ at the resultant crystal structure, morphological, mechanical, optical and computed tomography features were evaluated. 20 mol. % Yb3+ substitution facilitated tetragonal ZrO2 (t-ZrO2) stabilization while polymorphic t-ZrO2 to cubic ZrO2 (c-ZrO2) transition is witnessed beyond this limit until to attain the solubility limit of 50 mol. %. Excess Yb3+ beyond the substitution limit prefers to react with Al2O3 to yield Yb3Al5O12. Optical analysis showcase the typical emission behavior of Yb3+; nevertheless, the t- → c-ZrO2 polymorphic transition annulled this characteristic emission. Morphological analysis revealed the existence of two different crystalline phases pertinent to ZrO2 and Al2O3. Hardness and Young’s modulus determined from the indentation ensured better results that are consistent with the commercial ZTA implants. Further CT imaging potential of Yb3+ substituted ZTA is verified from the experimental results.