ABSTRACT
The improvement of fracture toughness of TZP materials is accompanied by a loss of strength in many cases. The intention of the present work was the simultaneous improvement of fracture toughness and strength of Y2O3 (2 and 3 mol% Y2O3) stabilized TZP. The mechanical properties are characterized by bending strength, fracture toughness, hardness and elastic modulus. X-ray, SEM, TEM and HRTEM were used to characterize the phase composition and microstructure. The maximum 4-point bending strength and fracture toughness were about 1470 MPa and 7 MPa√m, respectively, compared with 1200 MPa and 4.8 MPa√m of pure 2Y-TZP. The main reinforcement mechanisms are stress induced martensitic transformation and microcracking.
