TY - JOUR
T1 - Investigation of the microstructure, mechanical properties and cell viability of zirconia-toughened alumina composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes
AU - Akin, Ipek
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
©2015 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - The addition of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to ceramic matrices can be utilized for special applications such as implant materials. In this study, zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) composites having 10, 20 and 30 vol % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with additions of 0.5, 1, and 2 wt % MWCNTs were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1400°C under 40 MPa for 5 min. Systematic investigation of the effects of CNT reinforcement on densification behavior, microstructure, mechanical properties (Vickers microhardness, indentation fracture toughness, and flexural strength) and biocompatibility (cell viability) of ZTA composites was performed. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of CNT reinforced alumina-based composites are strongly dependent on the amount and position of nanotubes in the microstructure and the strength of the cohesion of matrix grains and the nanotubes. Composites with 30 vol % YSZ and 0.5 wt % CNTs exhibited the highest Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and flexure strength with values of ∼18 GPa, 5.5 MPa·m1/2 and 590 MPa, respectively. In addition, preliminary biocompatibility tests indicated that the composites showed no cytotoxicity to human osteoblast cells.
AB - The addition of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to ceramic matrices can be utilized for special applications such as implant materials. In this study, zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) composites having 10, 20 and 30 vol % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) with additions of 0.5, 1, and 2 wt % MWCNTs were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1400°C under 40 MPa for 5 min. Systematic investigation of the effects of CNT reinforcement on densification behavior, microstructure, mechanical properties (Vickers microhardness, indentation fracture toughness, and flexural strength) and biocompatibility (cell viability) of ZTA composites was performed. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of CNT reinforced alumina-based composites are strongly dependent on the amount and position of nanotubes in the microstructure and the strength of the cohesion of matrix grains and the nanotubes. Composites with 30 vol % YSZ and 0.5 wt % CNTs exhibited the highest Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and flexure strength with values of ∼18 GPa, 5.5 MPa·m1/2 and 590 MPa, respectively. In addition, preliminary biocompatibility tests indicated that the composites showed no cytotoxicity to human osteoblast cells.
KW - Alumina
KW - Carbon nanotube
KW - Densification
KW - Mechanical properties
KW - Spark plasma sintering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84928905561&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2109/jcersj2.123.405
DO - 10.2109/jcersj2.123.405
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84928905561
SN - 1882-0743
VL - 123
SP - 405
EP - 413
JO - Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan
JF - Journal of the Ceramic Society of Japan
IS - 1437
ER -