• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.513-519
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• 1994

Alumina composite was fabricated by introducing tetragonal ZrO2 in alumina composite of $\alpha$-alumina reinforced with in-situ formed La-$\beta$-aluminate (LaAl11O18). The powder mixture of composition (100-x)[88 Al2O3+(La2O3+11 Al2O3)]+x vol% ZrO2 was prepared with x from 0 to 40. Dense composites fabricated by hot-pressing exhibited bending strength up to 1200 MPa. The gain growth inhibiting effect of ZrO2 grains and La-$\beta$-aluminate platelets, and possibly the stress-induced phase transformation of ZrO2 have resulted in the high bending strength. The fracture toughness of the composite also increased up to 8.5 MPa.m1/2. The enhancement in toughness can be explained by transformation and microcrack toughening of ZrO2 and by crack deflection and bridging of La-$\beta$-aluminate platelets and ZrO2.