Grain size distribution in ultrafine-grained yttria-stabilized zirconia deformed without and with an electric field

Grain size distributions were determined in the grip (ε ≈ 0) and near fracture (ε ≈ 1.0) of yttria-stabilized zirconia (d¯0=0.44 μm) specimens deformed in tension at 1450–1600 °C without and with an electric field. The mean grain size increased with temperature, but decreased with field, with no clear effect of strain. The distributions for all test conditions fit a single curve based on the Bitti–Nunzio model, showing that the field had no significant effect on the grain size distribution.