ABSTRACT
The transformation on the ground surface of Y2O3-ZrO2 was investigated by Raman microprobe analysis. The amounts of monoclinic phase observed on two sections intersecting perpendicularly differ and it was proved that transformation induced by grinding shows anisotropy according to grinding condition or grinding method. The relation between the two components of the anisotropic transformation, one is parallel and the other is perpendicular to the applied tensile stress, and strengthening was examined. The linear relation predicted by theoretical analysis, between strengthening and transformed volume fraction was valid when the monoclinic fraction along the direction which shields the crack opening against the applied stress was taken as the transformed volume fraction.
