Mechanical alloying process of the zirconia–8 mol % yttria ceramic powder

Abstract
The phase transformation process of zirconia–8 mol % yttria powder mixtures during a high energy ball milling process has been studied by means of x‐ray diffraction analysis. It has been found that the m‐ZrO2 (monoclinic zirconia) transforms first to m‐ZrO2 solid solution and then to t‐ZrO2 (tetragonal zirconia) solid solution. Finally, a single cubic zirconia solid solution phase forms after prolonged milling. The structural transformation is discussed and explained in terms of the phase relations in zirconia‐yttria ceramics and the nonequilibrium nature of the mechanical alloying.