Tuning metastable austenite in a phase-transforming ceramic via matrix constraint

Martensitic phase-transforming ceramics can undergo reversible phase transformations under thermo-mechanical stimuli, yet brittle in their monolithic, polycrystalline form. Incorporating these ceramics into matrices thereby metastabilizing austenite gives rise to a significant toughening effect by triggering martensitic transformation. However, it remains a challenge to stabilize the austenite if the matrix is a light metal, because of its low strength, low melting temperature and high-chemical reactivity. In this study, we constructed a phase-transforming ceramic-metal (zirconia-aluminum) composite with tunable metastable austenite fractions via matrix constraint. Systematic experiments combined with thermodynamic and kinetic models uncover the effect of the matrix constraint and doping concentration on austenitization. By varying the processing parameters, we realized extensive tunability in metastable austenite content (0–100 wt.%) under different cerium doping concentrations (6–12 mol.%) in a wide range of processing temperatures (350–550°C). Our findings reveal the underlying mechanisms for promoting, stabilizing and fine-manipulating austenitization in martensitic phase-transforming ceramics under geometrical constraint, and may lay out the foundation for more extensive studies and applications of these phase-transforming ceramic-based composites.