Phase Relations in the ZrO2-MgO-FeOx System: Experimental Data and Assessment of Thermodynamic Parameters

Thermodynamic parameters were assessed for the MgO–FeOx system and combined with already available descriptions of ZrO2-FeOx and ZrO2-MgO systems to calculate preliminary phase diagrams for planning experimental investigations. Samples of selected compositions were heat treated at 1523, 1673 and 1873 K and characterized using x-ray and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Experiments indicated extension of cubic ZrO2 solid solution into the ternary system at 1873 K (75 mol.% ZrO2, 10 mol.% FeOx and 15 mol.% MgO) and limited solubility of 4 mol.% ZrO2 in spinel phase. Based on the obtained results thermodynamic parameters of C-ZrO2 and spinel phase were optimized.