Abstract: Mica glass-ceramic/Y-TZP composites were prepared and characterized. The transformation fraction of t-ZrO₂ decreased with the content of Y-TZP, determined by X-ray
diffraction analysis (XRD). The transformation width increased with increasing the content of Y-TZP, confirmed by Raman micro-area probe method. The mechanical properties
of mica glass-ceramic were significantly improved with the incorporation of Y-TZP. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of the glass ceramic doped with 40vol% ZrO₂
were as high as 446MPa and 4.8MPa·m^1/2, respectively. The stress-induced t-m transformation of zirconia dominantly contributed to the improvement of the fracture
toughness; however, crack deflection also played an additive role in the improvement of the fracture toughness of the composites with a relatively higher content of Y-TZP.

Key words: zirconia, mica glass-ceramic, transformation toughening, mechanical properties