Microstructural changes in ground 3Y-TZP and their effect on mechanical properties

Abstract In the present work we studied the changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties that are produced by grinding of tetragonal polycrystalline zirconia doped with 3 mol.% yttria (3Y-TZP). It is shown that the X-ray diffraction spectrum of ground 3Y-TZP presents asymmetric broadening of the (1 1 1) tetragonal peak, reversal of the intensity of the (0 0 2) and (2 0 0) tetragonal peaks, and tetragonal to monoclinic (t–m) phase transformation. The in-depth monoclinic phase distribution obtained by micro-Raman spectroscopy has been related with the compression residual stresses profile generated during grinding. These compressive residual stresses are also responsible for the observed increase in mechanical properties (strength and apparent fracture toughness). The subsurface microstructure of ground specimens has been analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and three different regions were found from the interior to the surface: (1) a t–m phase transformation zone in the deeper region, (2) a plastically deformed zone, with dynamically recovered dislocation cells, and (3) a surface recrystallized zone with grains of ∼20 nm in diameter, resulting from in situ recrystallization. In addition, microcracking is concentrated on the sides of the grinding grooves, corresponding to the zone of maximum tensile stress during contact with an abrasive particle.