Cubic‐Formation and Grain‐Growth Mechanisms in Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal

Abstract

The microstructure in Y 2 O 3 ‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y‐TZP) sintered at 1300°–1500°C was examined to clarify the role of Y 3+ ions on grain growth and the formation of cubic phase. The grain size and the fraction of the cubic phase in Y‐TZP increased as the sintering temperature increased. Both the fraction of the tetragonal phase and the Y 2 O 3 concentration within the tetragonal phase decreased with increasing fraction of the cubic phase. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) measurements revealed that cubic phase regions in grain interiors in Y‐TZP generated as the sintering temperature increased. High‐resolution electron microscopy and nanoprobe EDS measurements revealed that no amorphous layer or second phase existed along the grain‐boundary faces in Y‐TZP and Y 3+ ions segregated at their grain boundaries over a width of ∼10 nm. Taking into account these results, it was clarified that cubic phase regions in grain interiors started to form from grain boundaries and the triple junctions in which Y 3+ ions segregated. The cubic‐formation and grain‐growth mechanisms in Y‐TZP can be explained using the grain boundary segregation‐induced phase transformation model and the solute drag effect of Y 3+ ions segregating along the grain boundary, respectively.