The influence of manganese oxide on the sintering behavior of yttria tetragonal Zirconia

Abstract

The sintering behavior of yttria-stabilized zirconia, with the influence of small additions of MnO2 (up to 1 wt %) sintered over the temperature range from 1250°C to 1500°C was investigated. It was found that the mechanical properties of Y-TZP were dependent on the dopant amount and sintering temperature. The results revealed that relative densities above 97.5% of theoretical (i.e. >5.95Mgm-3) could be obtained in Y-TZPs sintered at low temperatures, 1250°C and 1300°C, with the additions of ≤0.3wt%MnO2. In comparison to the undoped samples, the additions of up to 1 wt% MnO2 and for sintering up to 1350°C was found to be beneficial in enhancing the Vickers hardness of the ceramic. The fracture toughness of Y-TZP however, was found to increase only in the 1wt%MnO 2-doped samples when sintered above 1400°C. The relation between the measured mechanical properties is discussed with the emphasis on the role of the manganese oxide. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.