Micromechanical properties and microstructure evolution of magnesia partially stabilized zirconia prepared by spark plasma sintering

Magnesia partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) is a widely used engineering ceramic owing to its high hardness and exceptional toughness. It is usually processed by conventional firing followed by subeutectoid aging. In this work, Mg-PSZ was prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) followed by sequential subeutectoid aging to fine-tune its mechanical properties. Mg-PSZ prepared by SPS with the rapid heating capability presents much smaller grains than conventionally prepared counterparts. After aging, a significant fraction of the matrix cubic phase transforms into tetragonal, orthorhombic, and monoclinic zirconia. Microindentation and in-situ microcompression tests reveal that aging Mg-PSZ for 4 h leads to maximum fracture toughness and fracture strain due to the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation toughening. Post compression TEM analyses show dominant monoclinic ZrO2 decorated by a high density of twin boundaries and stacking faults formed to accommodate the shear deformation. Preparation of Mg-PSZ by SPS offers rapid and effective approaches in finetuning the phases and mechanical properties.