Effect of La₂ O₃ Doping on Curing and Mechanical Properties of ZTA Ceramics Fabricated by Digital Light Processing 3D Printing

La₂ O₃ doped zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics were prepared using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing technology, and the effect of La₂ O₃ content on the viscosity, curing properties, microstructure, and mechanical properties of ZTA ceramic slurry was systematically investigated. The results show that the nano La₂ O₃ powder reduces the UV absorption of ZTA ceramic powder, effectively reducing the viscosity of slurry system. The low absorbance of La₂ O₃ -ZTA promotes the curing of ZTA ceramic slurry and increases curing size, promoting the formation of micrometer sized pores. When content La₂ O₃ is 0. 6% (mass fraction), the minimum pore size of the sintered body reaches (71 ± 3) μm, and LaAl₁₁ O₁₈ and MgAl₂ O₄ phases precipitate inside ceramics produce pinning effects, promoting the densification process of ceramic sintering and improving mechanical properties. The Vickers hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of the ceramics are (1 625. 2 ± 16. 5) Hv, (444. 7 ± 15. 5) MPa, and (5. 15 ± 0. 07) MPa ·m^1/2, respectively, which are 10. 55%, 21. 07%, and 34. 11% higher than the undoped component respectively. ZTA ceramics prepared using 3D printing technology have mechanical properties comparable to dry pressed products, while achieving micrometer level circular through-hole forming, breaking through the limitations of existing 3D printing ceramic technology in microstructure manufacturing.