Phase diagram of the system: Al2O3–ZrO2

The system Al2O3–ZrO2 was studied by differential thermal analysis in inert atmosphere and in vacuum. The eutectic was located at 1866°C and 40% mass of ZrO2. Zirconia solid solution at the eutectic temperature is up to 1.1±0.3% mass of Al2O3. Enthalpy of melting of this eutectic is 1080±90 J/g. Pure ZrO2 transforms from monoclinic to tetragonal at 1162±7°C, but the saturated solid solution of ZrO2, with 0.7±0.2% mass Al2O3 at this temperature, transforms at 1085±5°C. Inverse transitions occur with hysteresis correspondingly at 1055±5 and 995±5°C. Enthalpy of transformation of pure ZrO2 from monoclinic to tetragonal phase is 42±5 J/g (5.2±0.6 J/mol) but only 30±5 J/g for a ZrO2 saturated solid solution.