Addition of Zr-O-B compounds to improve the performances of alumina matrix ceramic materials

A technique to strengthen alumina matrix ceramics was presented, in which ZrB2 and ZrO2 were incorporated into the matrix ceramic in the form of Zr-O-B compounds. By detailed X-ray diffraction analysis, it was made sure that possible reactions in sintering which were beneficial to the materials design. Composites of Al2O3/ZrB2/ZrO2 were fabricated and the fundamental properties of the composites such as hardness, fracture toughness and bending strength were examined. Meanwhile, the effects of Zr-O-B compounds on densification rate, mechanical properties, and microstructures of alumina matrix ceramic materials were analyzed.