Cylindrical Al2O3/TZP functionally graded materials by EPD

Cylindrical Al2O3/Ce-TZP functionally graded composites were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition and pressureless sintering in air. Negatively ch arged Ce-TZP and Al2O3 powders were deposited on a cylindrical electrode fr om an acetone based suspension. A continuous composition change is realised by changing the composition of the suspension. Sintering of the FGM at dif ferent temperatures, showed that a temperature higher than 1550 degreesC wa s necessary for densification. The resultant FGM cylinder with 5.6 mm dia. had an ideal mechanical structure: a central open channel, a tough Ce-ZrO2 core (K-Ic > 10 MPa m(1/2)). a continuous gradient interlayer, and a hard s urface layer with HV higher than 15 GPa. BCT/443.