Volume Strain as a Measure of Stress Induced Phase Transformation in 12Ce-TZP

Abstract

Zirconia based ceramics exhibiting transformation toughening via the tetragonal to monoclinic transformation remain intensely interesting. In-situ neutron diffraction during uniaxial compression has revealed the presence of transient effects[1] highlighting a need for an in-situ method of determining the phase quantities. The two methods used to date i.e. the volume strain from strain gauges and in-situ neutron diffraction are compared for the same test data and their relative merit discussed. In most instances the volume strain gives an excellent measure of changes in the phase transformation. Circumstances causing potential misleading results are discussed