Influence of the Processing Route on the Carbon Nanotubes Dispersion and Creep Resistance of 3 YTZP / SWCNT s Nanocomposites

3 YTZP matrix composites containing 2.5 vol% of single‐walled carbon nanotubes ( SWCNT ) were fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering ( SPS ) at 1250°C, following different processing routines with the aim of optimizing the SWCNT s dispersion throughout the ceramic matrix. Microstructural characterization of the as‐fabricated samples has been performed by means of scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ). The specimens have been crept at 1200°C to correlate creep resistance and SWCNT s distribution. There are no creep experimental results on these nanocomposites reported in literature. Mechanical results show that the incorporation of SWCNT s into a 3 YTZP matrix produces an increase in the strain rate at high temperature with respect to monolithic zirconia. The creep resistance of these nanocomposites decreases with the improvement of the SWCNT s dispersion, where a smaller SWCNT s agglomerate size and consequently a higher concentration of carbon nanotubes surrounding the 3 YTZP grain boundaries is found. This fact indicates that SWCNT s act as a lubricant making grain‐boundary sliding easier during deformation of these composites.