Simultaneous additions of lanthanum aluminate(LAL) and Al2O3 to Ce-TZP (12mol% CeO2-ZrO2) lead to the in-situ formation of lanthanum- β-alumina(LBA) platelets (∼1.0.μ m in width and 5 ∼10 μ m in length) in the Ce-TZP matrix during sintering. The composites showed a fracture toughness(SEPB method) of 9.5 MPa · m0.5 and fracture strength of 960 MPa. which are remarkably improved from Ce-TZP sintered body (8.5 MPa · m0.5 and 560 MPa).
The composites also exhibit the no degradation by hydrothermal treatment.