Fabrication of bioglass infiltrated Al(2)O (3)-(m-ZrO (2)) composites.

Using 80 vol.% of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) as a pore-forming agent to obtain interconnected porous bodies, porous Al(2)O(3)-(m-ZrO(2)) bodies were successfully fabricated. The pores were about 200 microm in diameter and were homogeneously dispersed in the Al(2)O(3)-25 vol.% (m-ZrO(2)) matrix. To obtain Al(2)O(3)-(m-ZrO(2))/bioglass composites, the molten bioglass was infiltrated into porous Al(2)O(3)-(m-ZrO(2)) bodies at 1400 degrees C. The material properties of the Al(2)O(3)-(m-ZrO(2))/bioglass composites, such as relative density, hardness, compressive strength, fracture toughness and elastic modulus were investigated.