Nanostructured ceramic oxides with a slow crack growth resistance close to covalent materials.

Chevalier, J; Deville, S; Fantozzi, G; Bartolomé, J F; Pecharroman, C; Moya, J S; Diaz, L A; Torrecillas, R · Nano Lett · 2005

other · Level V

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Abstract

Oxide ceramics are sensitive to slow crack growth because adsorption of water can take place at the crack tip, leading to a strong decrease of the surface energy in humid (or air) conditions. This is a major drawback concerning demanding, long-term applications such as orthopaedic implants. Here we show that a specific nanostructuration of ceramic oxides can lead to a crack resistance never reached before, similar to that of covalent ceramics.

Medical subject headings