Phase evolution in zirconia based systems

Abstract

Data on phase formation and transition in both pure zirconia and zirconia based systems are systematized and critically considered in this review; the point of essential interest is the presence and possible stabilization of metastable zirconia at low temperatures. The effect of system prehistory, i.e. the synthesis conditions, further post-treatment, and thermal evolution is discussed; the conclusion about the drastic effect of sample prehistory on the phase evolution in zirconia based systems is done. It is also showed that phase formation in zirconia systems follows the Ostwald step rule.