Influence of yttria additives on structural, microstructural and mechanical properties of alumina–zirconia composites prepared by two-stage sintering

The effect of the addition of 2–8 wt% Y2O3 on the structural evolution, microstructural development and mechanical properties of 0.50Al2O3–0.50ZrO2 ceramics was determined. The present study has been performed to understand and control the densification behaviour with optimal Y2O3 addition. The phase composition of the samples was characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. Refinement of the lattice parameters using Rietveld analysis revealed the quantitative phases of the alumina–zirconia–yttria composites.