Preparation of super-strong ZrO2 ceramics using dynamic hot forging

In this study, dynamic hot forging (DHF) was proposed and applied to make super-strong zirconia (ZrO2) ceramics. The flexural strength of the sample forged at 1400 & DEG;C reached 1860 MPa, which was more than 3 times higher than that of the unforged commercial zirconia ceramics and 120 MPa higher than the conventional hot forged zirconia ceramics. The microstructural analysis suggested that the anomalously high strength is due to grain boundary strengthening caused by grain boundary sliding and grain strengthening caused by work hardening. It is anticipated that DHF could be applicable to other material systems to make super-strong materials.

Automated summary

Dynamic hot forging (DHF) was proposed for making super-strong ZrO2 ceramics. The flexural strength of the DHF-forged sample at 1400℃ reached 1860 MPa, which was over 3 times higher than that of unforged commercial zirconia ceramics and 120 MPa higher than conventionally hot forged zirconia ceramics. The high strength was attributed to grain boundary strengthening from grain boundary sliding and grain strengthening from work hardening. DHF may have potential applications in other material systems for producing super-strong materials.