Abstract
The effects of Al2O3 and Cr2O3 addition on the mechanical properties and microstructures of Y-TZP ceramics obtained by co-precipitation method of ZrO2+3m/o Y2O3, following pressureless sintering at 150$0^{\circ}C$ for 2h were investigated. The addition of Al2O3 and Cr2O3 improved the Y-TZP sinterability and the Al2O3 addition showed the better effect on Y-TZP sintering than that of the Cr2O3 addition. The density and microstructure had the better effect on the bending strength of specimen more than stressinduced phase transformation (SIPT) of ZrO2 from tetragonal to monoclinic phase. The hardness of the specimens was found to be depend on the relative density and the fracture toughness of Y-TZP was found to rely on the amount of SIPT. The grian size of Cr2O3-doped Y-TZP was observed to be relatively smaller and had a narrower distribution than that of Al2O3-doped Y-TZP. If decomposition reaction of Cr2O3 can be controlled at high temperatures, it is anticipated that the mechanical properties of Y-TZP can be much improved by the Cr2O3 addition.