Influence of Y2O3 and Cr2O3 on Formation of Microstructure and Properties as well as Accuracy of Reproduction of Geometric Characteristics during 3D Printing with Ceramics Based on Al2O3–ZrO2

Abstract—Powders and ceramic composite materials in an Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ system with a concentration of ZrO₂ of 20 wt % are obtained. The effect of introduction of chromium oxide and yttrium oxide into Al₂O₃–ZrO₂ ceramic materials on the phase composition, porosity, microstructure, and mechanical properties is studied. It is shown that the introduction of chromium oxide leads to the improvement of sintering and mechanical properties of the ceramic. Products with the predefined shape of a corresponding computer model are obtained by 3D printing, and also their multistage thermal treatment is carried out. Densely sintered ceramic materials are obtained at 1550 and 1600°C, the open porosity of which is below 1% and microhardness is up to 1646 ± 50 HV. The samples are characterized by a dense microstructure with the grain size of zirconium dioxide from 400 nm to 2 μm and of aluminum oxide from 800 nm to 3 μm. The thickness of the layer formed during 3D printing shows a positive impact of the addition of Cr₂O₃ on the resolution during 3D printing.