Abstract
The effects of the additions of transition metal oxides on ZrO$_2$ - Y$_2$O$_3$ (Y$_2$O$_3$ - containing tetragonal zirconia polycrystals : Y-TZP) system has been studied by investigating fracture toughness and phase stability of the sintered specimens. In the specimens sintered at 1450$^{\circ}C$ for 2hrs in air the phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic was observed. The ratios of monoclinic phase to tetragonal phase were changed with the additions of CoO, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and MnO$_2$, respectively, from 0.00 to 8.00wt%. The fracture toughness was increased with increasing the monoclinic to tetragonal phase ratio and was maximum at the ratio of about 18%. However, the hardness was decreased with increasing the ratio. The additions of CoO, Fe$_2$O$_3$ and MnO$_2$ together into Y-TZP resulted in more complex behaviors of fracture toughness and hardness. The specimen with the additions of 1.5wt% Fe$_2$O$_3$, 3.0wt% Al$_2$O$_3$ and 1.5wt% CoO showed the monoclinic to tetragonal phase ratio of 18% and the highest toughness of 10.8 MPa.m$\^$$\frac{1}{2}$/ and Vickers hardness of 1201kgf/mm$^2$.