Mechanical property evaluation of PZT/Al2O3 composites prepared by a simple solid-state mixed oxide method

Ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) based composites containing nanoparticles of Al2O3 were prepared by a simple solid-state mixed oxide method. The sintering procedure was carried out at 1200 °C for 2 h with a heating/cooling rate of 5 °C/min. Phase formation and microstructure were examined by XRD and SEM, respectively. The effects of the Al2O3 additive on hardness were investigated. Hardness was determined using a Vickers indentation technique and evaluated as a function of Al2O3 volume fraction between 0% and 2%. The hardness of the composites tended to improve with the addition of the nanoparticles. The maximum hardness was obtained at PZT/1 vol.% Al2O3. The hardness results are related to the microstructure and compared with previous results reported by others.