Microstructural Development and Fracture Toughness of a Calcia Partially Stabilized Zirconia

The effect of microcrack formation on the brittle fracture of ceramics is discussed and a model presented to explain the effect of such a process zone on crack stability. The transient phenomena of stable crack growth is explained in terms of a microcrack zone of increasing size.Evidence supporting this model is presented for the case of a calcia partially-stabilized zirconia which can form microcracks at the grain boundaries.