Effect of calcia co-doping on ceria-stabilized zirconia

Ceria-stabilized zirconia ceramics are characterised by excellent hydrothermal stability and high fracture toughness, but the fracture strength and hardness are lower than that of conventional 3Y-TZP, which is sensitive to low temperature degradation in humid environments. In the present work, the influence of small concentrations of calcia on the microstructure, mechanical properties and hydrothermal ageing resistance of 10 and 12 mol% CeO2 stabilised ZrO2 has been assessed. The addition of only 1 mol% of CaO had a strong refining effect on the microstructure resulting in an increased hardness and strength but reduced stress activated tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformability. The addition of 3 mol% CaO however enhanced the transformability with respect to 1 mol% CaO and preserved the high resistance to hydrothermal degradation of Ce-TZP.