Role of Grain‐Boundary Glass Phase on the Superplastic Deformation of Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal

Abstract

Superplastic deformation of tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) was investigated by compression test in the temperature range of 1000° to 1500°C. Special attention was paid to the role of the grain‐boundary glass phase on hightemperature deformation behavior. A small addition of glass phase markedly improved the high‐temperature deformability of TZP. Lithium silicate glass was much superior to aluminosilicate or lithium aluminum silicate glasses for lowering the high‐temperature flow stress. The deformation mechanism was discussed on the basis of mechanical testing data and microstructural examinations.