The effect of titanium oxide additions on the properties and behaviour of Y-TZP

An investigation has been carried out into the effects of titanium oxide additions in the 0–1 mass% range on the properties and behaviour of Y-TZP. The results show that the presence of TiO2 at this level produces a decrease in sintering activity together with changes in the stability of the tetragonal phase and corresponding changes in hardness and fracture toughness. These results are attributed to the interactions between anion vacancies, and titanium ions in solid solution in the zirconia, giving rise to a reduction in the concentration of the rate controlling (cation interstitial) species during solid state sintering. These phenomena are potentially deleterious in Y-TZP used for structural applications, but may be of potential benefit in other ZrO2 based systems.