JP2748381B

PURPOSE:To obtain a lightweight, colored zirconia sintered material having high toughness, folding endurance and strength, by blending ZrO2 containing Y2O3 or CeO2 with an oxide of a specific element and making the resultant substance have a give specific gravity. CONSTITUTION:A sintered material which consists of (A) 97-99.9wt.% ZrO2 containing 1.5-5mol.% Y2O3 and/or 5-30mol.% CeO2 and (B) 0.1-3wt.% one or more of Er2O3, Ho2O3, Nd2O3, Pr2O3, Th2O3, Eu2O3 and MnO and has >=98.5% theoretical specific gravity calculated from the composition. When the content of Y2O3 and/or CeO2 in the ZrO2 of the component A is < the lower limit value of the range, formation of metastable tetragonal system is insufficient and defects such as occurrence of cracking in production are not eliminated. When > the upper limit value of the range, amount of appearance of tetragonal system is increased and strength is lowered. The amount of one or more of the compounds of the component B is 3wt.%, the sintered material is hindered and strength is extremely reduced.