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Investigation of ZrO/sub 2//mullite solid solution by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron diffraction

Journal Article · · Acta Metall.; (United States)
A mullite/15 vol.%ZrO/sub 2/ composite was analyzed using the techniques of microdiffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The EDXS results indicate that there is a significantly high solid solubility of mullite in zirconia and zirconia in mullite; microdiffraction results suggest that ordering occurs in the ZrO/sub 2/(ss) phase based on the presence of forbidden reflections for the P 2/sub 1//c space group of monoclinic zirconia. The presence of a secondary phase at the grain boundaries, either amorphous or crystalline, has not been generally detected throughout the bulk. The results provide experimental evidence for the hypothesis of Moya and Osendi that the increased toughness and flexural strength of these composites are related to solid solution effects rather than to transformation or microcrack toughening mechanisms.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., Univ. of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
OSTI ID:
6013519
Journal Information:
Acta Metall.; (United States), Journal Name: Acta Metall.; (United States) Vol. 32:10; ISSN AMETA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English