Abstract
For the homogeneous dispersion of $ZrO_2$ particles in $Al_2O_3/ZrO_2$ceramics, Zr-precusors were mixed with oxide $Al_2O_3$powders by chemical routes such as partial precipitation or partial polymerization of Zr-nitrate solutions. In case of the mechanical mixing of ultrafine $Al_2O_3$ and $ZrO_2$ oxide powders, relatively homogeneous dispersion was difficult to achieve so that the particle size and distributions of $ZrO_2$ were relatively inhomogeneous after sintering at high temperature. But when the Zr-Y-hydroxide were co-precipitated to ultrafine $Al_2O_3$ oxide powders followed by calcinations, homogeneous dispersion of nano-sized $ZrO_2$ particles in $Al_2O_3/ZrO_2$ composite ceramics were obtained. But because of the coalescence of dispersed $ZrO_2$ particles, dispersed $ZrO_2$ was grown up to more than 0.2${mu}m$ (200 nm) when sintered at the temperature of higher than $1500^{\circ}C$ But when the sintering temperature was kept to lower than $1400^{\circ}C$ by using nano-sized $\alpha-alumina$, the particle size of dispersed $ZrO_2$ could be sustained below 0.1 ${\mu}m$. But the coalescence of dispersed $ZrO_2$ between $Al_2O_3$ particles could not be avoided so that the mechanical properties were not enhanced contrary to the expectations. So Zr-polyester precursors were precipitated and coated to the surface of ultrafine $\alpha-alumina$ powders by the polymerization of Ethylene Glycol with Citric Acid and Zirconium Nitrate. By this dispersion much more uniform dispersion of $ZrO_2$ was achieved at $1450\~1600^{\circ}C$ of sintering temperature ranges. And due to especially discrete dispersion of $ZrO_2$ between $Al_2O_3$ particles, their mechanical strength was more enhanced than mechanical mixing or hydroxide precipitation methods.
