In situ X-ray diffraction investigation of elastic behavior of YNbO4-modified ZrO2(3Y) using synchrotron radiation

The effect of 5 mol%, YNbO4 addition on the non-tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation characteristics and the elastic behavior of ZrO2(3Y) ceramics was investigated using an in situ compression-diffraction technique employing synchrotron radiation in the present work. The heavily overlapping diffraction patterns between cubic, orthorhombic and/or nontransformable tetragonal t') reflections of the present YNbO4-modified ZrO2(3Y) can be distinguished and the fracture toughness can be increased effectively by sintering at 1550 degreesC for 1 h. The observed stress-induced phase transformation of cubic-to-t' or cubic-to-orthorhombic plays a primary role in energy absorption and the intriguing stress-strain characteristics of the present material system under an elastic loading-unloading process.