The phase stability of the cubic and tetragonal phase in ZrO2-2-6mol% Y2O3 is studied by X-ray diffraction method and transmission electron microscopy. Two kinds of tetragonal phase, t and t', and a cubic (t'') phase, are identified consistently. The t-phase is the equilibrium tetragonal phase, which transforms martensitically to the monoclinic phase on further cooling. The t'-phase has a thin plate or lamellar structure, and is formed in the decomposed structure of the cubic (t'') phase. The high resolution electron microscopy reveals that the fine domains (t''-phase) due to displacement of oxygen atoms appear dispersedly in the initial stage of decomposition, resulting in the tweed contrast.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sugiyama et al. (1986) studied this question.