Self-joining of zirconia/hydroxyapatite composites using plastic deformation process

A plastic deformation process was demonstrated to self-join 3 mol.% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (3Y-TZP)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composites. The 3Y-TZP/40 vol.% HA composites were fabricated by conventional ceramic processing by cold pressing premixed 3Y-TZP and HA powders into pellets. Densification (≈90%) of composites was achieved by sintering composite powder compacts at 1450 °C for 5 h. Optimum self-joining of 3Y-TZP/40 vol.% HA composites was obtained at 1300 °C for a strain rate of 5 × 10−5/s. The flow stress during joining was 40 MPa. Microstructural and mechanical characterizations of the joint interface demonstrated that there were no discernible differences between the joint and the composite material away from the interface.