Zirconia sintered bodies with high total light transmission and high strength, uses of the same, and process for producing the same

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a sintered body obtained by subjecting a primary sintered body having a relative density of 95% or higher produced from a fine yttria-containing zirconia powder to HIP sintering at a temperature of 1,200-1,600° C. and a pressure of 50 MPa or higher. This sintered body is either a sintered body which has a total light transmittance, as measured at a thickness of 0.5 mm, of 43% or higher and a three-point bending strength of 1,700 MPa or higher or a zirconia sintered body which has a total light transmittance, as measured at a thickness of 1 mm, of 40% or higher and a three-point bending strength of 500 MPa or higher and which combines high strength and total light transmission.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.