Moderate temperature plastic deformation in amorphous Al ₂ O ₃ –ZrO ₂ ceramics containing different amount of nanocrystals

The differences in the deformation behaviour and the microstructures among the amorphous Al2O3–ZrO2 ceramics containing different amount of nanocrystals were investigated. Therein, the amorphous sample without nanocrystals displayed large plastic deformation due to its large free volume change. With the increase in nanocrystals, the yield strength and plasticity of Al2O3–ZrO2 ceramics were promoted. However, excess nanocrystals would induce the decrease in the plasticity.