| abstract |
The endoprosthesis component consists of a ceramic material which contains aluminium oxide and zirconium (di)oxide, the zirconium (di)oxide being present unstabilized or stabilized. The material has a gradient of the aluminium oxide and zirconium (di)oxide contents. In the area of increased tensile, bending and torsional stresses the zirconium (di)oxide content is increased compared with the articulation area, which contains predominantly aluminium oxide. The endoprosthesis component can be produced by infiltration of an open-pored pre-sintered aluminium oxide matrix by a zirconium (di)oxide slip, a zirconium salt solution, a zirconium-containing sol or alcoholate or a mixture of two or more of the abovementioned solutions/liquids. It can also be produced by continuously filling a compression mould with a mixture of aluminium oxide and zirconium (di)oxide powders, the mixing ratio of aluminium oxide and zirconium (di)oxide being varied during the filling of the compression mould. |