Effect of Y-TZP on Mechanical Properties of Al2O3-TiB2 Ceramics

The effect of Y-TZP additive on the mechanical properties of Al2O3-TiB2 ceramics was investigated. The results indicate that Y-TZP additive can enhance the flexure strength and fracture toughness of Al2O3-TiB2 ceramics, but has little effect on their hardness. The maximum bending strength of Al2O3-TiB2 and Al2O3-TiB2-Y-TZP ceramics are at 20vol% TiB2 content. The maximum fracture toughness for two kinds of ceramics all are at 30vol% TiB2 content. The bending strength and fracture toughness as well as impact resistance of Al2O3-TiB2-Y-TZP ceramics are higher than those of Al2O3-TiB2 ceramics. The cutting behaviors of two kinds of ceramics are satisfactory. When the ceramic cutting tools are applied to continuous cutting, the wear resistance of cutting tools increases as an increase in TiB2 content. But when they are applied to intermittent cutting, the serving life of ceramic cutting tools is mainly governed by their fracture toughness, The mainly failure mechanism of intermittent cutting is micro-chipping.