Finite element analysis of stresses associated with transformations in magnesia partially stabilized zirconia

Anisotropy finite element analysis was performed to study stresses associat ed with the tetragonal precipitates and the tetragonal to monoclinic transf ormation in MgO partially stabilized zirconia. Stresses were assumed to be caused by the lattice misfits between the product phase and the parent phas e. In the finite element calculations, the tetragonal and monoclinic precip itates were assumed to be lenticular in shape, and the anisotropic elastic constants of the cubic, tetragonal and monoclinic phases were considered. T he purpose of this paper is to obtain some knowledge about how stresses res pond when the microstructure is changed, and how stress fields affect micro structure development. The finite element results show that increasing a,ln , and decreasing c(t)/a(c) can create a favorable stress field to reduce th e growth rate of tetragonal precipitates during the heat treatment. Stresse s associated with the single tetragonal precipitate in an infinite cubic ma trix are distinctly larger than stresses associated with the homogeneously distributed tetragonal precipitates. The twin orientations within the monoc linic particle greatly affect stresses associated with the tetragonal to mo noclinic transformation. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved .