Ceramic shape memory element

摘要

Disclosed herein is a ceramic shape memory element containing zirconia. A ceramic article is also disclosed which contains at least one of tetragonal zirconia and monoclinic zirconia, and is subjected to plastic deformation through phase transformation caused by maintaining the article at a given temperature, and/or imposing a given stress thereupon. Methods of processing and joining the ceramic article by utilizing the shape memory phenomenon peculiar to such a ceramic article are also disclosed.