Mechanical and microwave dielectric properties of Ni/ZrO₂ composite

Ni/ZrO₂ composites were prepared by hot pressing using yttria partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) powder and Ni powder in different particle size as starting materials. The mechanical and microwave dielectric properties of the composites were studied. Dielectric property changes caused by morphology changes of Ni during sintering process were also discussed in detail.. Flexural strength of the composites decreases when Ni powder is added, and larger particle size of Ni deteriorates the flexural strength remarkable. By increasing the amount of Ni in the composite, the fracture toughness of the composites increased. Dielectric constant and loss of composites depends on the content and particle size of Ni powder, which the larger particle size of Ni powder in the same content can improve the dielectric constant and loss of the composites obviously. This amelioration is ascribed to the morphology change of Ni particle during sintering process.