THERMAL-SHOCK RESISTANCE OF MATERIALS BASED ON CEO2-STABILIZED TETRAGONAL ZIRCONIA POLYCRYSTALS

Materials based on tetragonal zirconia polycrystals fully stabilized with CeO2 have been prepared starting from commercial powders. The mechanical properties of samples with different compositions were measured at room temperature and after quench tests. The effects of thermal treatments on the microstructure and crystal phases and their detrimental influence on strength, toughness and hardness were evaluated. Experiments demonstrated that residual porosity and higher amounts of ceria favourably influence the retention of material properties after thermal treatment.