Grain‐Size Distribution in Al ₂ O ₃ ─ZrO ₂ Generated by High‐Temperature Annealing

Abstract

Grain‐size distribution in various Al 2 O 3 ─ZrO 2 (2.5 mol% Y 2 O 3 ) ceramics during high‐temperature annealing was examined. In alumina‐rich alloys, the grain size of major and minor phases was very different, while grain size was almost uniform in zirconia‐rich alloys. This difference in grainsize distribution was related to the difference in grain growth rate of the major phase and to the effectiveness of grain‐boundary pinning by minor‐phase grains.