Effect of Dispersion of ZrO<sub>2</sub> Particles on Creep of Fine-Grained Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>

Abstract

The interface-reaction controlled diffusion creep in fine-grained Al2O3 polycrystals was affected by the dispersion state of ZrO2 particles. The ZrO2 particles at grain boundaries reduced the creep rate and increased the activation energy for creep. The stress exponents were two for both pure Al2O3 and ZrO2-containing Al2O3 polycrystals. The pure Al2O3 polycrystals deformed more rapidly than the superplastic ZrO2-toughened Al2O3 at 1250° and 1300°C.