Effect of synthesis conditions on degradation of yttria-stabilized zirconia

The degradation of yttria-stabilized zirconia (3-8 mol % Y2O3) prepared fro m successively precipitated and coprecipitated hydroxides and aged in air f or 1.5-3 years was studied by x-ray diffraction. The rate of the degradatio n, associated with the tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transition, was found to decrease with increasing particle size and Y2O3 and cubic ZrO2 contents . and to be lower in the materials prepared through hydroxide coprecipitati on.