Injection molding of zirconia (Y-TZP) ceramics

Injection molding of ceramics (CIM) is considered as a promising shaping technique. An investigation was started to test whether injection molding of yttrium oxide stabilized tetragonal zirconia poly-crystals (Y-TZP) can result in products with good mech. properties. The prodn. of Y-TZP CIM parts appears to be feasible. The choice of ceramic powder and binder removal procedure are the crit. process steps. Study of the binder removal process indicates that oxidative degrdn. of the binders at the polymer-gas interface is the predominant mechanism. The strength and variability of strength of the Y-TZP parts produced compare favorably to those of com. available Y-TZP materials. As shown by the statistical range of various size measurements, the shape reproducibility was 1-3%, but appears to be very dependent on shape and product support during the binder removal process. [on SciFinder (R)]