Microstructural and mechanical behaviours of Y-TZP prepared via slip-casting and fused deposition modelling (FDM)

This paper reports the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of yttria-stabilized zirconia prepared via fused deposition modelling and slip casting. X-Ray Diffraction peaks indicated that yttria-stabilized zirconia crystallized in tetragonal structure for both slip casted(SC) and fused deposition modelled(FDM) samples. Further, scanning electron microscopy of slip casted sample showcased closely packed structure with fine grains and an average grain size of ∼65 nm whilst fused deposition modelled samples showcased non-homogeneous pores with ∼20 nm grain size. Average relative density of slip casted samples was ∼99.4 % while that of fused deposition modelled sample exhibited ∼96.2 %. The Vickers Hardness of slip casted (∼15.26 ± 0.4 GPa) was ∼10 % higher than the fused deposition modelled samples (∼13.79 ± 0.3 GPa). Likewise, indentation fracture toughness of slip casted (5.78 ± 0.5 MPa m1/2) was 14 % higher than fused deposition modelled samples which could have been due to the change in grain size as well as porosity of the ceramics. Compressive strength of the fused deposition modelled samples was 32 % less than slip casted samples (∼510 ± 10 MPa) due to its non-homogenous pores which led to weakening van der Waals force of attraction.