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Microstructure and mechanical properties of alumina chopped fiber/partially-stabilized zirconia composites

Journal Article · · Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia; (United States)
; ;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA (United States)

Zirconia exists in four crystallographic forms, i.e., cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, and orthorhombic structures. Several additives, such as CaO, MgO, and Y[sub 2]O[sub 3], have been used to fabricate tough and strengthened zirconia. Partially-stabilized zirconia has attracted considerable interest for structural applications because of its excellent mechanical properties, such as high fracture strength and toughness. However, the mechanical properties of the zirconia are superior to those of most other ceramics mainly at ambient temperature. With increasing temperature, the mechanical properties of the zirconia are degraded severely because of reduced effectiveness of stress-induced transformation and softening of glassy grain boundary phases. Fiber-reinforcement may be one of the promising strategies to strengthen zirconia-toughened ceramics at high temperature. In this study, the authors attempted to improve high-temperature creep properties by the incorporation of alumina chopped fibers into a yttria doped partially-stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ). The alumina chopped fiber (10 vol %)Y-PSZ composites were fabricated by hot-pressing in vacuum. The microstructure and chemistry of the matrix, fiber, and matrix/fiber interface in the composites were characterized using analytical transmission electron microscopy, in order to correlate the microstructural features to the mechanical properties measured at room- and high-temperatures.

OSTI ID:
6542016
Journal Information:
Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia; (United States), Journal Name: Scripta Metallurgica et Materialia; (United States) Vol. 32:2; ISSN SCRMEX; ISSN 0956-716X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English