Mechanical behavior of zirconium dioxide crystals partially stabilized with yttrium oxide

The results are given of a composite investigation of the mechanical behavior of single crystals of zirconium dioxide partially stabilized with yttrium oxide and ytterbium oxide at temperatures up to 1400°C. It is shown that the elastic modulus of these materials lies in the 150–350 GPa range and their tensile strengths may reach 1,688 MPa. These materials have a nonincreasing relationship of the stress intensity factor to crack length (flat R-curves). The stress intensity factors determined on specimens with a sharp crack are significantly lower than on specimens with a notch. The picture of fracture of single crystals in penetration of an indentor, etc. differs significantly in relation to the stabilizing addition.Translated from Problemy Prochnosti, No. 1, pp. 73–77, January, 1991.