Microstructure effects in the X-ray powder diffraction profile of 9 mol% Mg-PSZ

The relative abundances of the polymorphs present in samples of 9 mol% magn esia-partially stabilized zirconia (Mg-PSZ) have been determined by Rietvel d analysis of X-ray powder determined action data. The composition of the s amples is mainly dominated by the tetragonal content. Preferred orientation and anisotropic line broadening effects on this majority phase were observ ed. It is shown that the consideration of these microstructural effects dur ing the Rietveld refinement is not only important with the aim of improving the refinement but also indispensable to obtain the accurate proportion of the phases. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.