Optimization to develop multiple response hardness and compressive strength of zirconia reinforced alumina by using RSM and GRA

•The fabrication of zirconia toughened alumina nano composite by pressure less sintering method.•Using Box Behnken design the 17 experimental runs were developed and the fabrication was done based on the run.•The samples were tested for compressive strength and micro Vickers hardness.•The development of regression model for the fabrication of zirconia toughened alumina•Using RSM and Grey Relation Analysis the influencing parameters and the optimization were done.

In this work the effect of powder forming process parameters of zirconia reinforced alumina composites on micro hardness and compressive strength was studied. The weight percentages of zirconia added to alumina, compaction pressure and sintering temperature are the process parameters selected for this analysis. Using Box–Behnken technique in Response Surface Methodology (RSM), seventeen experimental runs are developed. The sintering temperature and weight percentage of zirconia added to alumina are found to influence the responses. The influencing parameters were identified by using analysis of variance and Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). The regression model for both micro hardness and compressive strength are developed. The increasing amount of zirconia added to alumina matrix is found to enhance the compressive strength of the composite and reduces the hardness of composite. Also, multi response optimization to obtain higher hardness and compressive strength are done using both RSM and GRA.

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