Mixed Ceramics / Dispersion Ceramics
Oxide ceramic composites or dispersion ceramics are mixtures of different ceramic base materials that have been specially developed to improve and optimise certain properties.
Examples include aluminium oxide-reinforced zirconia (ATZ) and zirconia-reinforced aluminium oxide (ZTA). Both alumina and zirconia-based ceramic oxides have long been used as biomaterials due to their high wear resistance and excellent biological behaviour. The ceramic composites have the hardness and wear resistance of aluminium oxide, but also the fracture toughness of zirconium oxide. The properties of mixed ceramics therefore lie between those of aluminium oxide and zirconium oxide.
Use in orthopaedics
Thanks to the material combinations described, ceramics can be produced from a single ceramic powder, particularly for orthopaedic joint replacement.
CeramTec's pink coloured BIOLOX®delta alumina matrix composite is a benchmark material in orthopedics, while zirconia-based materials are primarily used in dentistry.
For regulatory information see the disclaimer here
