Chemical treatment on alumina–zirconia composites inducing apatite formation with maintained mechanical properties

Alumina–zirconia composites with submicrometric grain size were surface modified with the purpose to induce bioactivity using several chemical treatments. Among them, a quick attack by phosphoric acid induced on Zirconia Toughned Alumina (80–20 wt%) the formation of apatite-like calcium phosphate phases after immersion in simulated body fluid, indicating bioactivity induction. Such a treatment does not reduce the strength, hardness and ageing properties of this ceramic material, making it a suitable method for biomedical applications. Surface properties, topography and microstructure of oxide ceramics are also discussed.