polishing of ZTA ceramic products

[ZTA]

We have a product of ZTA (mixture of 80% AlOx and 20% ZrOx, Ytrium stabilized) and we are polishing one surface. But we always have scratches and holes in the surface after polishing. How can we improve our process? Or are there other processes to get an even and a bright surface?

 

[TVP]

The following articles are from Struers' Structure magazine:

http://www.struers.com/resources/elements/12/3698/39art2.pdf

http://www.struers.com/resources/elements/12/2476/35art4.pdf

They are specific to preparing materialographic specimens, but there is general information relative to grinding and polishing ceramics.

 

[Ceramicguy]

The fact that you are finding holes indicates that perhaps the microstructure of the material will not support a fine finish or your polishing pressures are too high causing grain popouts. Scratches could also be caused by the same situation or you are not srupulously cleaning your polishing pads between abrasives. Cross contamination of abrasive sizes will also cause fits with scratches. To establish a baseline, why not have an outside vendor try polishing the material and review their results. I would recommend Accumet Engineering

http://www.accumet.com