Slow-crack-growth behavior of zirconia-toughened alumina ceramicsprocessed by different methods

A study of slow-crack propagation in zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics is presented. Different ZTA composites, using either unstabilized or yttria-stabilized zirconia, have been tested. The materials were prepared in the range 0-15 vol% ZrO2, using two processing methods: powder mixing and a modified colloidal route. Crack propagation tests have been conducted for crack velocities from 10-12 to 10-2 m/s by means of a double-torsion method. The influence of the processing conditions and compositions on the microstructures and the effect of these microstructures on the slow-crack-growth behavior have been studied. The option that these composites may offer in terms of the lifetime of ceramic joint prostheses is discussed.Supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Spain (PF9805271356) and MCYT MAT 2000‐0941