Cation transport in yttria stabilized cubic zirconia: 96Zr tracer diffusion in (ZrxY1–x)O2–x/2 single crystals with 0.15⩽x⩽0.48

Abstract For a wide range of stabilizer concentrations in yttria stabilized cubic zirconia (YSZ), Zr diffusion data extracted from published creep data and dislocation loop shrinkage data are discussed together with published Zr tracer diffusion data and our own data on Zr tracer diffusion in order to identify the most probable point defect responsible for Zr diffusion. From this evaluation, complex defects can be ruled out, as the single vacancy, V Zr 4′ , fits best.