Microstructure and mechanical properties of Nano-ZrO₂/platinum composite

The precipitate of colloidal zirconia and ammonium chloroplatinate mixed sufficiently was sintered at high temperature, and then the sample was prepared by rolling and drawing. The fracture morphology and microstructure of the samples were observed by metallograph, SEM, and HREM. The results show that the nano-ZrO₂/Pt grain was refined and its fracture was obviously different from that of pure platinum. The platinum atomic arrangement around the nano-ZrO₂ particle was dislocated, which results in great change of the mechanical propereties. The tensile strength of the nano-ZrO₂/Pt is 470 MPa at room temperature, 15 MPa at 1400°C, elongation is 20% in annealed condition and Vickers hardness is 940 MPa which is 3.6, 10, 0.5 and 2.3 times, respectively, as compared with that of pure platinum.