Fabrication of Dense ZrO2/CNT Composites: Influence of Bead-Milling Treatment

Highly concentrated zirconia-carbon nanotube (CNT) water suspensions were prepared using an advanced milling technique. The bead-milling operation parameters were optimized for this system and used to prepare zirconia-stabilized water-based suspensions with different CNT contents. The effects of different milling conditions were studied. The particle dispersion was evaluated by SEM observations on dried suspension. Green’s density and SEM observations of compacts were used to follow the colloidal dispersability of the composites. Materials of tetragonal zirconia and CNTs were prepared with a high concentration of CNTs (1, 5, and 10 wt pct CNT). The homogeneous dispersion and distribution of the fibers in the bulk material after slip casting of the suspension were examined. The samples were sintered using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1473 K (1200 °C) and finally, fully dense materials were obtained. The mechanical properties were evaluated using the Vickers indentation technique.