Preparation and mechanical properties of ZrO2/Al2O3 porous ceramics

ZrO2/Al2O3 porous ceramics were prepared by gel-foaming technique. The rheological property of slurry, the effect of solid content on the microstructure and mechanical property of the porous green bodies and the relationship between the MgO sintering additive content with the compressive strength and porosity of porous ceramics were investigated. The results show when the dispersant content is 0. 4% (mass fraction), ball milling time is 4 h and the pH value is 4, the low viscosity is conductive to gelcasting. The porosity of green body reduces with the increase of solid content. The excessive solid content makes the slurry hard to flow, and the big pores and cracks form during gelcasting process, then the compressive strength of green body decreases. The mechanical properties of porous ceramics are improved with the phase transformation and micro-crack toughening induced by the ZrO2. The densification of pore supports increases, the porosity reduces and compressive strength increases with the increase of sintering additive content. The highest compressive strength is 30 MPa. The porous ceramics with appropriate porosity and high compressive strength can be prepared by introducing suitable contents of ZrO2 and sintering additive.