Temperature Dependence of Strength and Fracture Toughness of ZrO ₂ Single Crystals

Abstract

Results of strength and fracture–toughness tests on single crystals of partially stabilized ZrO 2 at temperatures above and below the tetragonal–monoclinic transformation temperature are reported. The temperature dependence of toughening mechanisms is discussed with respect to theories for phase–transformation toughening and other toughening mechanisms.