On the solubility of Fe, Cr and Nb in ZrO2 and its effect on thermal dilatation and polymorphic transition

The solubility of Fe, Cr and Nb in ZrO2 by thermal treatment of the corresponding oxides at 1300°C is reported. Doping zirconia with these elements has considerable effect on thermal expansion, on the temperature of the monoclinic - tetragonal transition and on the volume-change accompanying it. It is shown that such impurities strongly influence properties which are important for the use of ZrO2 as a ceramic material.