The Development and Characterization of Zirconia-Silica Sand Nanoparticles Composites

The present study aims to develop zirconia-Silica sand nanoparticles composites through powder processing
route and to study the physical properties, mechanical properties and microstructure of the composites. Zirconia
based silica sand nanoparticles composite with 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.% were developed through powder
processing technique and sintered at 1500℃ for two hours. A decreasing trend of green density however an
improvement in sintered density was observed. Also the addition of silica sand nanoparticles with 20 wt.%
increased the hardness up to 12.45 GPa and microstructures indicated the diffusion mechanism of silica sand
nanoparticles into pore sites of the composites.