Tribology and in-vitro biological characterization of TiO2 addition on ceria stabilized zirconia-toughened alumina (CSZTA) composite

The effect of TiO2 addition on tribology and in-vitro biological characteristics of ceria-stabilized zirconia-toughened alumina (CSZTA-TiO2) ceramic composites were examined and presented in this study. Through the powder metallurgy route, the TiO2 added to CSZTA samples were synthesized and sintered (air environment). Additionally, the pin on the disc machine was used to examine the wear characteristics of sintered samples. Adding TiO2 to CSZTA enhances the tribological properties compared to pure ceria-stabilized zirconia-toughened alumina (CSZTA). In addition, the samples (CSZTA and CSZTA-TiO2) were subjected to aging. There is no monoclinic-phase transformation (no degradation) in the CSZTA-TiO2 sample after 100 h of testing, confirming its great resistance to LTD. The bioactivity of developed CSZTA and CSZTA-TiO2 samples was studied using simulated body fluid (SBF). After chemical treatment, it was shown that the composite would create an apatite layer that resembled bone when soaked in a simulated body fluid with ion concentrations equal to human blood plasma. These results suggest that it may generate apatite within a live organism and connect to the bone via the apatite layer.