Sinterability and Mechanical Properties of MnO<sub>2</sub>-Doped Y-TZP: The Effects of Holding Time Variations

Abstract

The effect of holding time variation and sintering temperature on the mechanical properties and sinterability of yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia doped with 1 wt. % MnO 2 was investigated. Samples were sintered at 1150-1500 °C with holding times varying from 12 and 120 minutes. Comparing to the MnO 2 -doped Y-TZP, longer holding time resulted in enhanced densification of the undoped Y-TZP samples. In the case of MnO 2 -doped Y-TZP however, Bulk density, Young’s modulus, Vickers hardness and fracture toughness results show the beneficial effect of MnO 2 in enhancing the densification of Y-TZP ceramics.