Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Ceramic Materials Based on Systems ZrO2–Sm2O3 with Two-Phase Composition

Abstract

This study investigates the physical and mechanical properties of ceramic materials with compositions 97ZrO₂–3Sm₂O₃ and 94ZrO₂–6Sm₂O₃ (mol.%), fabricated from initial nanopowders. The ceramics exhibit a two-phase structure comprising tetragonal and cubic solid solutions based on ZrO₂. The Sm₂O₃ content is shown to significantly influence the phase ratio, thereby affecting the grain structure and properties of the material. An increase in the volume fraction of the tetragonal ZrO₂-based solid solution from 46 to 85 vol.% leads to an enhancement in mechanical strength from 600 to 850 MPa and in fracture toughness K_1c from 8.0 to 10.5 MPa · m^1/2.