Plastic Deformation of Partially Stabilized Zirconia

The results of room‐temperature compression experiments conducted on poly‐crystalline Mg partially stabilized zirconia are described. It is shown that, in addition to prefuilure axial microfracture, the material exhibits significant plasticity. This plasticity arises from deformation bands formed by cooperative martensitic transformation of melastable tetragonal precipitates; the deformation bands lead to significant surface rumpling. It is suggested that both stress‐ and strain‐induced martensitic transformations may be involved in the deformation process .