Energy Dissipation during High Temperature Displacement-Sensitive Indentation in Cubic Zirconia Single Crystals

Abstract

A newly designed displacement-sensitive hardness tester capable of performing load-displacement experiments in the temperature range 20 to 800 °C is described. Load-displacement indentation tests have been performed in 9.4 and 21 mol% Y2O3 fully stabilized cubic ZrO2 single crystals. The effect of the alloying concentration on the deformation substructure in the vicinity of the indentation impressions was investigated using selective etching. The energy dissipated during the loading–unloading indentation cycle has been measured and compared with the extent and structure of the deformation zone. The relative roles of the different energy dissipation mechanisms during indentation are discussed.