ZrO sub 2 -TiX composites

Y sub 2 O sub 3 -stabilized ZrO sub 2 (T-TZP) matrix composites with TiB sub 2 , TiCN, titanium nitride and TiC additions were prepared by uniaxial hot pressing in vacuum at 1450, 1600 and 1700 deg C. The microstructures of the obtained composites were investigated and the mechanical properties; E-modulus, hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness are reported. The influence of the type of secondary phase on the mechanical properties of ZrO sub 2 -TiX (70/30) composites was studied as a function of the sintering temperature. The influence of the secondary phase content on the mechanical properties was studied for the ZrO sub 2 -TiB sub 2 system by varying the TiB sub 2 content up to 50 vol.%.