Dislocations and the mechanical properties of stabilized ZrO2

Abstract
The dislocation substructures and mechanical properties of cubic ZrO2 single crystals are analyzed. The temperature dependence of the dislocation velocity is complex, the edge segments moving faster than screw segments at low temperatures, while the screws are faster at high temperatures. Using the loop shrinkage technique, the diffusion coefficient of the slowest diffusing species can be determined. The mechanical properties are analyzed in terms of the Peierls mechanism and of interaction of dislocations and point defects.