Microstructure and hydrothermal ageing of alumina-zirconia composites modified by laser engraving

Laurent Gremillard (1) , L. Cardenas (2) , H. Reveron (1) , T. Douillard (1) , A. Vogl (1) , K. Hans (3) , T. Oberbach (3)

1 MATEIS - Matériaux, ingénierie et science [Villeurbanne]
2 XPS - IRCELYON-Etudes & analyse de surfaces, XPS, LEIS
3 Mathys Orthopaedie GmbH

Laser engraving is more and more commonly used to write permanent identity features on medical devices. In particular, it is performed on ceramic heads for hip prostheses. Since these components are submitted to high mechanical loading during long periods of time (several years), it is critical to assess the influence of laser engraving on their durability. In the present article, laser marking of zirconia-toughened alumina and alumina-toughened zirconia resulted in an important colour change. It did not affect notably the resistance to hydrothermal ageing, despite important microstructural changes (in particular formation of a zirconia-alumina solid solution layer some tenths of micrometres thick). The formation of this original microstructure was explained by the fast cooling rate after lasing.

Mots clés: Laser engraving; Microstructure; Zirconia-alumina composites; Hydrothermal ageing

Domaines: Matériaux

Laurent Gremillard, L. Cardenas, H. Reveron, T. Douillard, A. Vogl, et al.. Microstructure and hydrothermal ageing of alumina-zirconia composites modified by laser engraving. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2020, 40 (5), pp.2077-2089. ⟨10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2020.01.027⟩. ⟨hal-02469054⟩