Work

Hidden Complexity in Stress‐Induced Phase Transformations of CeO 2 –ZrO 2 Ceramics

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Ceria‐doped zirconia exhibits transformation‐induced plasticity, offering a path toward ductile ceramics. However, the atomic‐scale stress‐ and orientation‐dependent transformation mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we use large‐scale atomistic simulations based on a machine‐learning interatomic potential to study uniaxial compressions of pure and ceria‐doped tetragonal zirconia. The simulations reveal a transformation landscape far richer than the commonly assumed direct tetragonal‐to‐monoclinic pathway, with multiple metastable monoclinic and orthorhombic phases acting as intermediate or trapping states. Guided by the martensitic transformation theory, we show how doping and boundary conditions reshape this landscape and affect the resulting transformation strains and critical stresses.

Source: Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: 10.1111/jace.71007

Authors: Gaël Huynh, Jin‐Yu Zhang, Tristan Albaret, David Rodney

Institutions: Lyon 1 Université, Institut Lumière Matière, The University of Osaka

Language: English

Topic: Advanced ceramic materials synthesis

Subfield: Ceramics and Composites

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070

Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Grand Équipement National De Calcul Intensif, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science