Characterization of intergranular phases in tetragonal and cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia

Achieving superplasticity in fine grained ceramics is a potential method to lower energy costs associated with ceramic manufacturing via net shape forming. Superplasticity is intrinsic in 3-mol%- yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP); and can be enhanced by addition of glass to form intergranular phases which are thought to both limit grain growth and promote grain boundary sliding during processing (sintering and hot isostatic pressing). This permits processing at lower temperatures. However, superplasticity has not been observed in 8-mol%-yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (8Y-CSZ), ostensibly due to its larger grain size and high grain growth rates. As part of a larger study, high-spatial-resolution energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) has been performed on 3Y-TZP and 8Y-CSZ specimens doped with various glassy phases to characterize intergranular compositions