Superplastic extrusion of ultra fine-grained 3Y-TZP/Al2O3 ceramic for turbine disk

Superplastic extrusion of axial forcing and radial flowing under different conditions was adopted to form a turbo-rotor, using hot-press sintered compact of zirconia (3Y)-toughened alumina composite that was prepared at 1450 degrees C for I hour with relative density of higher than 96%. Subsequent superplastic extrusion was attempted at temperature of 1500 degrees C-1650 degrees C. The results indicate that 3Y-ZrO2 plays an important role as a second-phase pinning agent and inhibits grain growth. The material shows good deformability and potential of near-net-shape forming. Comparing with undeformed sample, extruded sample was observed apparent coarsening in grain size and the remaining mechanical properties after deformation are not improved, irrespective of improved density. The dominating deformation mechanism is grain sliding and rotation accommodated with zirconia coordinated deformation.