A composite material having a first phase includes an aluminum oxide proportion of at least 65% by volume and a second phase comprising a zirconium proportion of 10 to 35% by volume. The zirconium is present as zirconium oxide. The aluminum oxide is a ceramic matrix and the zirconium oxide is dispersed therein. From 90 to 99% of the zirconium oxide is present in the tetragonal phase. A chemical stabilizer for stabilizing the tetragonal phase of the zirconium oxide is also present. The total content of chemical stabilizer is