Effect of microstructure on milling abrasive wear of Y-TZP/Al2O3 composites

The effect of microstructure on the microstructure wear resistance of ceramics was investigated via two alumina strengthened yttria-doped tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP/Al2O3, ADZ) ceramics, which is different from the adding method of ytrria (i.e. co-precipitated and mixed). The results show that the hardness and toughness of both CYADZ (co-precipitated yttria) and MYADZ (mixed yttria) are close. CYADZ is with uniform structure and fine grain, but MYADZ is of non-uniform structure due to uneven distribution of mixed yttria. After the milling abrasive wear, the wear resistance of CYADZ ceramic is better than that of MYADZ ceramics, so the effect of the macro mechanical properties such as hardness and toughness on the wear resistance of ceramics should be based on the microstructure of ceramics.