Effect of Grain Size on Mechanical Properties of Submicrometer 3Y-TZP: Fracture Strength and Hydrothermal Degradation

• Published in: Journal of the American Ceramic Society Vol. 90; no. 9; pp. 2830 - 2836
• Main Authors: Eichler, Jens, Rödel, Jürgen, Eisele, Ulrich, Hoffman, Mark
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Malden, USA Blackwell Publishing Inc 01.09.2007; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Ceramics; Chemical industry and chemicals; Degradation; Exact sciences and technology; Fracture mechanics; Fracture strength; Fractures; Grain size; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Miscellaneous; Strength; Technical ceramics; Tetragonal zirconia polycrystals; Transformations; Yttria stabilized zirconia; Grain size; Scanning electron microscopy; Tetragonal lattices; Mechanical properties; Fracture; Stabilized zirconia; Experimental study; Oxide ceramics; Degradation; Yttrium Oxides; Size effect; Technical ceramics; Zirconium Oxides; Weibull distribution; Raman spectrum; Hydrothermal condition; Strength
• ISSN: 0002-7820; 1551-2916
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1551-2916.2007.01643.x

This paper considers fracture strength, fracture origins, and hydrothermal degradation of 3Y‐TZP with grain sizes in the range of 110–480 nm. Biaxial fracture strength testing was used to show that the fracture strength increases with grain size and is governed by the concurrent change in fracture toughness. Hydrothermal degradation was studied by means of fractography, Raman microscopy and its effect on fracture strength. Up to 200 nm grain size, hydrothermal degradation of strength is limited. Larger grain sizes exhibit either premature failure or an increase in strength. A surface transformation zone was found to be responsible for both phenomena.