Comparison of mechanical properties of zirconia crystals partially stabilized with yttria and gadolinia

Abstract

(ZrO2) 0.97(Y2O3)0.03 and (ZrO 2)0.97(Gd2O3)0.03 solid solution crystals have been grown using directional melt crystallization in cold container. The structure and phase composition of the crystals have been studied using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical properties of the crystals e.g. microhardness and fracture toughness have been studied with microindentation. We show that the main hardening mechanism in the 3GdSZ and 3YSZ crystals is transformation hardening. No microhardness anisotropy has been observed in the crystals. The highest fracture toughness among the crystals has been obtained for the 3GdSZ crystals in the {100} plane.