Stabilization of tetragonal phase in polycrystalline zirconia

It is shown that the tetragonal phase can be stabilized in the sintered body of a partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) containing low concentrations of yttria. Such sintered body containing the metastable phase undergoes stress-induced phase transformation by the absorption of thermal or mechanical stress and exhibits strengths in excess of 690 MPa (100ksi).