Preparation and Microstructural Characterization of Al₂O₃/ZrO₂ Nanocomposites to Use in the Femoral Head of Hip Replacement

High-purity aluminum oxide is potentially an attractive implante material for total hip joint replacement, because its biocompatibility, excellent wear resistance, high strength and corrosion resistance. The main problem of alumina is relatively low fracture toughness. Thus, this study is the introduction of ZrO2 as second ceramic phase homogeneously dispersed wihtin an alumina matix. Al2O3/ZrO2 nanocomposites disk is prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) method at 1500℃ and 50MPa, in vacuum for 5min. Then, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to analyze the microstucture and phases of this nanocomposite. Moreover, frexual sthrength of the nanocomposites was meausured as well as hardness and fracture toughness. When the content of ZrO2 is up to 15wt%, the fracture toughness value (8.4MPam1/2), and strength (527MPa) are achieved. This Al2O3/ZrO2 nanocomposites may be served as a tatal hip joint replacement.