Size-dependence of zirconia-based ceramics via deformation twinning

Contrary to the dislocation-driven ‘smaller-is-stronger’ size-effect in nanocrystals, size-dependence of strength deformation twinning, another carrier plasticity, still lacks universal understanding. Deformation twinning enables pseudoplastic strain >5% a shape memory ceramic (ZrHfO4)x (YTaO4)1−x. We use diffraction methods, microstructure analysis, and in-situ nanomechanical experiments uncover contributing factors competition between slip these submicron-sized ionic crystals, revealing power-law scaling with size for both mechanisms. The significant was found follow superimposed exponent -1, identical that metals. These findings unveil universality single-crystals provide new insights on deformability ceramics microstructure-driven nano-plasticity.