Effect of Zn2+ Substitution and Zero Porosity Correction on Elastic Behavior of CoFe2O4

Polycrystalline spinel ferrite system, ZnxCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.0-0.6), was synthesized by solid state reaction route. The effect of Zn2+ substitutions on zero porosity corrected elastic constants has been investigated. The unexpected weakening in mechanical strength/elastic stiffness of the ferrites is not only due to substitution of Zn2+ ions, that do not contribute to the active bond formation and increase inter ionic distances, but mainly due to anisotropic thermal stress induced occurrence and development of micro-cracks as well as oxygen vacant sites in the samples with Zn2+ substitution.The bulk modulus to rigidity modulus ratio, ((K-o/G(o)) similar to 2.0), indicates the ductile nature of ferrite compositions.