Abstract
Raman microprobe analysis was performed of partially-stabilized ZrO2 ceramics and single crystals using the samples which were preliminary indented with a Vickers indenter at room temperature or subjected to bending at low temperatures. The addition of ferric oxide into Y-PSZ ceramics was found to intensify martensitic phase transformation in it and to enhance its fracture toughness. For single crystals the tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation was found possible at fracture. It was established that inelastic Mg-PSZ ceramics at −50°...−60°C becomes in fact elastic but no relevant changes in Raman spectra were observed. A conclusion was made that further investigations are required to specify the known micromechanisms which govern the behavior of ZrO2 materials under loading.
