Effects of the yttria content and sintering temperature on the phase evolution in yttria-stabilized zirconia
The microstructure of YSZ ceramics stabilized by the various amount of yttria, namely 3 mol% Y 2 O 3 (3YSZ), 4 mol% Y 2 O 3 (4YSZ) and 5 mol% Y 2 O 3 (5YSZ) has been studied. Three sintering temperatures, namely 1450 °C, 1500 °C and 1550 °C were used for each series of samples (3YSZ, 4YSZ, 5YSZ). The total area of the monoclinic and cubic zirconia phases in the microstructure of ceramics and the regularities of distribution of these phases were determined by ImageJ.