| Material [78] |
Improvements (‘After’) |
| Phase-stabilised zirconia |
Higher fracture toughness
Larger static and fatigue strengths |
| Yttria-stabilised ceramics can be destabilised during process of steam sterilisation |
Decreased frictional torque
Reduced level of polyethylene debris production
Increased surface roughness |
| Alumina matrix reinforced with zirconia particles, zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) |
Higher toughness values
Alumina matrix constrains zirconia particles, toughening ceramic host material
Greater hardness of composites with alumina matrix |