EFFECT OF ADDITIVES ON DENSIFICATION AND DEFORMATION OF TETRAGONAL ZIRCONIA

The effect of additives (Bi2O3, Fe2O3) on densification and creep rates of tetragonal ZrO2-Y2O3 has been investigated. In Bi2O3-doped Y-TZP, a reactive liquid forms at temperatures above 800-900 degrees C, which leads to a strong enhancement of densification for concentrations of 1-2 mol% Bi2O3. However, during cooling from the processing temperature a strong, undesirable transformation of the tetragonal to the monoclinic phase occurs. The addition of 0.6-1.2 mol% FeO3/2 promotes densification without destabilizing the tetragonal phase. A concentration of 1.2 mol%, however, induces discontinuous grain growth, while this is not the case for 0.6 mol%. Creep rates of Y-TZP were enhanced by a factor of 4-6 by adding 0.6 mol% FeO3/2.