Phase Field Modeling of the Tetragonal-to-Monoclinic Phase Transformation in Zirconia

Abstract

The allotropic phase transformation in zirconia from the tetragonal to monoclinic double lattices is known to occur by a martensitic twinning mechanism which shows a complex dependence on temperature, stress and environment. This paper is concerned with the development of a phase field model which accounts for the main metallurgical mechanisms governing this martensitic transition. The symmetry reduction and orientation relationship between the parent and product phases were simulated using several non-conserved order parameters representing different transformation paths. Inhomogeneous and anisotropic elastic properties were considered to determine the resultant elastic stresses. Governing equations of the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation were solved in a finite element framework under a variety of initial and boundary conditions. It was shown that applying different initial conditions, such as seed embryo or random, did not change the twinning patterns or the final volume fractions of the parent and product phases after the relaxation period. On the other hand, enforcing different boundary conditions resulted in completely different twinning patterns and phase volume fractions. The model was able to predict both the "V" shape morphology of twinning and the surface stress relief with "gable roof" patterns, which were observed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to be characteristic of the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transition.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Anisotropic elastic properties; Different boundary condition; Initial and boundary conditions; Martensitic transitions; Metallurgical mechanisms; Orientation relationship; Phase field models; Tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation; Atomic force microscopy; Boundary conditions; Martensitic transformations; Mathematical models; Phase interfaces; Solid solutions; Transmission electron microscopy; Volume fraction; Zirconia; Phase field modeling; Tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation; Zirconia

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1359-6454

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2013 Elsevier Ltd, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Aug 2013

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