Mechanical properties of 2Y-TZP fabricated from detonation synthesized powder

Abstract

Yttria stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) is frequently used in dental and engineering applications due to its high strength and fracture resistance. In this study, 2Y-TZP samples were manufactured from commercially available powder produced by detonation synthesis. Tests of the mechanical properties exhibited an unusual combination of both very high strength and toughness. The materials show a very weak correlation between toughness and grain size. The transformability, measurable by XRD, cannot explain the high toughness. Fractographic analysis revealed a broad transformation affected zone with secondary cracks and shear bands on the tensile side of bending bars which can be made responsible for the high toughness and non-linear stress-strain curves.