Indentation Studies on Y ₂ O ₂ ‐Stabilized ZrO ₂ : I, Development of Indentation‐Induced Cracks

Abstract

The development of Vickers indent‐induced tracks with increasing indent load has been studied in two Y 2 O 3 ‐stabilizel ZrO 2 ceramics. Such cracks form as radial or Palmqvist cracks at low loads, assume “kidney” shapes at intermediate loads, and finally form median (half‐penny) cracks at high loads. The plastic zone directly beneath the indent is uncracked; a significant portion of the plasticity induced by indentation occurs by martensitic transformation.