摘要 |
This invention is directed to the production of ceramic alloys consisting essentially of partially stabilized ZrO2 and/or ZrO2-HfO2 solid solution and/or HfO2 exhibiting high toughness through the inclusion of about 0.5-8 mole %, as expressed on the oxide basis, of YNbO4 and/or YTaO4 and/or MNbO4 and/or MTaO4, wherein M represents Mg<+><2>, Ca<+><2>, Sc<+><3> and/or a rare earth metal ion selected from the group of La<+><3>, Ce<+><4>, Ce<+><3>, Pr<+><3>, Nd<+><3>, Sm<+><3>, Eu<+><3>, Gd<+><3>, Tb<+><3>, Dy<+><3>, Ho<+><3>, Er<+><3>, Tm<+><3>, Yb<+><3>, and Lu<+><3> substituted for Y, and the use of at least 5 volume percent of such ceramic alloys to toughen hard refractory ceramics. |