Effect of Machining Environments On the Crack Behavior of ZrO2-Al2O3 Composite During Short Pulsed Laser Processing

Abstract

When subjected to stress, the ZrO2-Al2O3 composite has a unique behavior than monolithic ceramics. The purpose is to preserve the overall structural integrity by hindering the advancement of the crack’s termination point. The captivating attribute makes it suitable for any high-stress supportive application that requires resilience. Fiber lasers excel in processing these materials. As a thermal-based process, it cannot prevent surface functioning issues like cracking patterns, which threaten orthopedic implant durability. This issue has garnered medical attention recently. However, the laser processing of ZrO2-Al2O3 composite exhibits a higher degree of sophistication than monolithic ceramic, primarily attributed to its distinct thermal characteristics and diverse energy absorption rates, which rely on the reinforcement material and matrix. This article aims to analyze the behavioral pattern of cracks impacted by fluence during the laser processing of ZrO2-Al2O3 composite under high and low-temperature environments. Thus, the ZrO2-Al2O3 composite shows divergent behavior when subjected to the same fluence under auxiliary environments. The detrimental effect of fluence seems meager since the ZrO2-Al2O3 composite undergoes processing in a lowtemperature environment compared to a high one. Hence, prolonged exposure to a hightemperature environment can form a network of cracks, primarily caused by significant residual stresses resulting from phase transformation. In this study, an attempt has been made by adopting a low-temperature environment to provide a crack-free surface as one of the viable options. Furthermore, various characterization tools are used to study the laser-induced cracks to comprehend their causes of evolvement.