Nanoindentation study of irradiation and temperature effects in yttria-stabilized zirconia

In the present study, the detailed evaluation of nanomechanical properties in terms of hardness and Young’s modulus of irradiated polycrystalline YSZ pellets were studied using the nanoindentation technique. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with 150 keV Ar-ions to a fluences of 1 × 1014 and 1 × 1015 ions/cm2 (i.e. before bubble formation), which correspond to a peak damage of 0.12 and 1.2 dpa respectively. Substantial improvement of mechanical properties related to the creation of both radiation defects and residual stress in the implanted surface layer were observed. Additionally, in-situ high temperature nanomechanical investigation of pristine YSZ pellet was conducted. A significant decrease of nanomechanical properties was observed with increasing temperature.