Effect of ZrO₂ Particles on the Mechanical Properties of Zr2.5Nb Alloy Used for Biomedical Application

Improving the mechanical properties of biomedical alloys is essential for enhancing their performance and longevity in medical applications. This study investigates the effect of zirconia (ZrO₂) addition on the mechanical behavior of Zr2.5Nb alloy prepared via powder metallurgy. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical testing (hardness and wear resistance) were employed to evaluate the samples' microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical performance—the addition of 3 wt.% ZrO₂ led to a notable improvement in hardness, increasing from 153 HV (for Zr2.5Nb) to 185 HV (for Zr2.5Nb–3ZrO₂). Furthermore, wear resistance was enhanced, as indicated by a reduced wear rate from 2.39 × 10⁻⁷ g/cm³ for the base alloy to 1.88 × 10⁻⁷ g/cm³ for the ZrO₂-reinforced alloy under a constant load of 20 N and duration of 40 minutes