The sintering-temperature-related microstructure and phase assemblage of alumina-doped and alumina–silica-co-doped 3-mol%-yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia

The influence of higher sintering temperatures on the microstructure and equilibration of alumina-doped and alumina–silica-co-doped 3-mol%-yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics was investigated. The temperature-related (⩾1550 °C) penetration of the silica phase from the grain junctions into the grain boundaries was accompanied by the emergence of a fraction of larger, heterogeneous grains. The overall partitioning process was slower in the co-doped material, increasing the resistance to ageing, while upon cooling the partitioned yttria-rich phase was found to be tetragonal (t′-ZrO2).

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