On toughening in Zirconia containing ceramics

Transformation toughening in zirconia-containing ceramics is related to dilatational, inelastic volumetric strain. A model for steady-state, Mode I crack propagation in a pressure-sensitive, dilatational elastic-plastic material is presented, based on the Drucker-Prager yield criterion. In the framework of asymptotic analysis, results demonstrate a toughening effect related to pressure-sensitivity and volumetric inelastic strain. Asymptotic field representations may yield a deep understanding of near-crack tip stress-deformation phenomena.