Three-dimensional tomography was performed on hydrothermal degraded zirconia by sequential focussed ion beam (FIB) sectioning and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) observation. By means of image analysis the distribution of microcracks produced under the surface was reconstructed and characterized. Results show a microcrack network preferentially oriented parallel to the surface, and a gradient in microcrack density from the surface, which is coherent with other measurements that reveal a decrease in monoclinic phase. The elastic properties of the reconstructed volume are simulated, showing that the deterioration of mechanical properties of degraded zirconia can be mainly attributed to microcracking, with a minor contribution of the phase transformation.

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