Microstructural examination in high-strain-rate superplastically deformed tetragonal ZrO2 dispersed with 30 vol% MgAl2O4 spinel

The role of MgAl2O4 spinel particle dispersion for attaining high-strain-rate superplasticity (HSRS) was examined in tetragonal ZrO2. Microstructural examination shows that the dispersed spinel particles provide the following positive factors to ZrO2 simultaneously: (i) stable fine grain size by retarding grain growth due to pinning effect; and (ii) enhanced accommodation due to accelerated lattice diffusivity caused by the dissolution of aluminum and magnesium into ZrO2 from the spinel particles, and accelerated relaxation of stress concentrations exerted by grain boundary sliding through dislocation motion. These positive factors make it possible to attain HSRS in ZrO2. © 2007 Materials Research Society.