Composites of beta -Ce2O3. 11Al(2)O(3) and tetragonal ZrO2 fabricated by a
reductive atmosphere sintering of mixed powders of CeO2, ZrO2 (2 mol % Y2O3
), and Al2O3. The composites had microstructures composed of elongated grai
ns of beta -Ce2O3. 11Al(2)O(3) in a Y-TZP matrix. The beta -Ce2O3. 11Al(2)O
(3) decomposed to alpha -Al2O3 and CeO2 by annealing at 1500 degreesC for 1
h in oxygen. The elongated single grain of beta -Ce2O3. 11Al(2)O(3) divide
d into several grains of alpha -AI(2)O(3) and ZrO2 doped with Y2O3 and CeO2
. High-temperature bending strength of the oxygen-annealed alpha -Al2O3 com
posite was comparable to the beta -Ce2O3 . 11AI(2)O(3) composite before ann
ealing.