Preparation Process And Properties Of ZrO₂/SUS316L Functionally Gradient Material

Functionally graded materials (FGM) as new type of composite material were developed in order to adapt to new materials in the high-tech field and the limit temperature environment (ultra-high temperature, the temperature difference). Met al/ceramic functionally gradient materials can give full play to resistance to elevated temperatures, corrosion as ceramic, and high strength, toughness as met al. It is impotant to soluted thermal expansion coefficient mismatch problems between the met al and ceramic. ZrO₂/SUS316L FGM were preparated by tape-casting/lamination.The influence of preparated process were analyzed by preparation of the slurry, adhesives, gradient optatimization of the design, and sintering process. Macrophotograph and microphotograph were observed. Element and microhardness distribution were analysed. Flexural strength was tested.ZrO₂/Stainless Steel 316L FGM with graded components was sintered in vacuum and pressureless at 1350℃.The FGM not have defects such as crack, bubble, warpage and flatted. The FGM distributed continuous at interface due to diffusion and concentration gradients, and was transitive because no mutation of components and elements.The tape-casting slurry and layer with good stability and uniformity were preparated after ball milling of ZrO₂/SUS316L. In order to reduced internal stress of interlaminates, graded layers were designed by using the component distributed function. The relation of RBP(Radio of Binder and Powder, M) and volume fraction of ZrO₂(C) that M = 1.029 C + 1.652 was obtained by change the binder content. ZrO₂/SUS316L FGM with complete structure was fabricated by optimization of binder and gradient component design.The SUS316L layer was beared loading at final crack whatever direction of load-on, but fault trace and flexural strength were different. Crack was expanded from ZrO₂/316L middle layer to both sides and the bending strength was 234.64 MPa when applied loading on ceramic layer. Crack was expanded from ZrO₂ layer to SUS316L layer and the bending strength was168.75MPa.