Influence of the addition of multiwall carbon nanotubes in the sintering of nanostructured yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline

The properties of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (YTZP) ceramics, such as low thermal conductivity, excellent biocompatibility, high fracture toughness, high strength, and low wear rates, make them suitable for many applications. To further increase these properties, the use of nanostructured materials and/or the addition of reinforcing second phases such as carbon nanotubes are being investigated. In the present work, it has been demonstrated that with the addition of zirconia partially coated multiwall carbon nanotubes to a nanostructured YTZP matrix the densification is enhanced at lower temperatures and a finer microstructure is obtained.