Wear of 3Y-TZP Containing Compressive Residual Stresses at the Surface

Tetragonal zirconia polycrystals doped with 3 mol% yttria (3Y-TZP) was heat treated to stimulate the tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation in order to induce compressive residua! stresses at the surface. Pin-on-disc wear tests were performed at different sliding speeds to evaluate the wear behavior of treated and untreated materials. The friction coefficients were also measured. The conditions for mild and severe wear were defined. The material containing compressive residual stresses had lower wear resistance. A possible explanation for this behavior is discussed.