Ductility modification of machinable Ce-ZrO2/50CePO4 composites

To improve the mechanical properties and "ductile" behavior of machinable Ce-ZrO2/50CePO(4) composites, elevating calcining temperature of CePO4 and adding stabilizer (as Y2O3 or CeO2) were carried out. The experimental results showed that both the nonlinear degree of indentation stress-strain curve and the fracture strength and toughness of the composites were increased. Based on the indentation character and fracture analyses of extruded surface, the ductility of Ce-ZrO2/50CePO(4) composites was considered to be associates with the crack along weak interface between Ce-ZrO2 and CePO4 grain and cleavage of multilayered CePO4 grains and the fragment resetting to adapt to stress.