Martensitic relief observation by atomic force microscopy in yttria stabilized zirconia

TL;DR

This paper reports the first direct observation of martensitic relief in yttria-stabilized zirconia using atomic force microscopy, revealing initial transformation features relevant to material degradation.

Contribution

It introduces AFM as a novel method to observe early martensitic relief in zirconia, advancing understanding of phase transformation mechanisms.

Findings

First AFM observation of martensitic relief in zirconia

Identification of initial martensitic features

Insights into phase transformation related to material degradation

Abstract

The tetragonal to monoclinic (t-m) phase transformation of zirconia has been the object of extensive investigations of the last twenty years, and is now recognised as being of martensitic nature. However, martensitic transformation has only been observed by transmission electron microscopy or indirect methods. Though the benefit on the fracture toughness and crack resistance was the main interest, the transformation is now considered for its consequences on the degradation of the material. The use of AFM reported here allowed the observation of the first stages of martensite relief growth and of new martensitic features.