Yttria—partially stabilized zirconia (Y—PSZ) ceramics containing 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 mol% Y2O3 were fabricated from commercial grade zirconia powder by dry pressing and normal sintering at 1600°C. The mechanical properties and microstructures of such materials were examined. Mechanical properties, both strength and fracture toughness, deteriorated with increasing yttria content. XRD revealed the presence of both tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the sintered materials and with decreasing yttria content, the tetragonal phase increased. Vickers' microhardness values differed slightly among the three compositions
