Cyclic deformation and crack growth in zirconia ceramics

Anelastic behavior was investigated for several kinds of zirconia ceramics (Y-TZP, Y-FSZ, Mg-PSZ and Ce-TZP). Y-TZP has produced anelastic strain significantly. The change of stress–strain response under cyclic tension–compression loading and the crack growth behavior under monotonic and cyclic loadings were examined for Y-TZP. The curious stress–strain hysteresis loops and unusual crack growth behavior were observed; the shape of hysteresis loop depends on frequency and crack growth behavior is influenced by temperature, stress rate and stress wave form. Anelasticity influences cyclic deformation and crack growth behavior, which is considered to be one of the toughening mechanisms in zirconia ceramics.