Low-temperature aging of composites on the basis system Al2O3 – [ZrYb]O2 including strontium hexaaluminate

The paper considers the effect of hydrothermal treatment, simulating a long stay in a biological environment, on the phase composition and bending strength of Al2O3 – [ZrYb]O2 composites containing a variable amount of Al2O3 and including strontium hexaaluminate. It has been shown that composites retain bending strength after hydrothermal action. This fact indicates the preservation of the phase composition in the volume of materials. It is determined that a monoclinic phase of zirconia is formed in the near-surface layer of the samples, the amount of which ranges from 11 to 9 %, correlating with the increase in the content of alumina in the composite. The formation of the monoclinic phase of zirconia in such an amount is well below the limit of 25 % specified in ISO 13356 2015 Implants for surgery — Ceramic materials based on yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP). The results obtained make it possible to recommend Al2O3 – [ZrYb]O2 composites containing strontium hexaaluminate for medical applications.