Transformation and microcrack toughening as complementary processes in ZrO/sub 2/-toughened Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/

Journal Article · Fri Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5743469

Ruhle, M; Claussen, N; Heuer, A H

Both tetragonal (t) and monoclinic (m) ZrO/sub 2/ particles in ZrO/sub 2/-toughened Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ can give rise to toughening. In the stress field of propagating cracks, the t-ZrO/sub 2/ particles can undergo the stress-induced t ..-->.. m transformation, and the residual stresses around already-transformed m-ZrO/sub 2/ particles can cause microcracking. The t-ZrO/sub 2/ particles transformed in crack tip stress fields do not, however, also cause appreciable microcracking. The toughening increments via these distinct mechanisms are comparable. It appears that optimally fabricated ZrO/sub 2/-toughened Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/'s should contain a mixture of t- and m-ZrO/sub 2/.

• Research Organization: Max-Planck Institut fur Metallforschung, Stuttgart
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-84ER45110
• OSTI ID: 5743469
• Journal Information: J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Am. Ceram. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 69:3; ISSN JACTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360203* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Mechanical Properties
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CERAMICS
CHALCOGENIDES
CRACK PROPAGATION
DISPERSIONS
FABRICATION
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MIXTURES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RESIDUAL STRESSES
STRESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS
ZIRCONIUM OXIDES