Microstructure and Reliability of Ceramics.
Abstract
The aim of this program was to investigate the role of microstructure on the reliability of ceramics, in particular those ceramics having pronounced R-curve behavior and thus the property of flaw tolerance, where the failure stress is minimally affected by processing defects or by damage accumulated in service. Hence, flaw-tolerant ceramics should show decreased strength variability and thus exhibit higher structural reliability. The program examined the effect of increasing R-curve behavior on the strength variability of ceramics toughened by phase transformation or grain bridging. The principal result of this work is that high reliability will only result in materials having both a strongly rising R-curve and a narrow intrinsic flaw population. The strong R-curve allows for stable crack extension under in-service conditions, and the narrow flaw population ensures that strength variability will be minimized in as-processed materials. These criteria are readily satisfied in zirconia ceramics by careful control of processing contaminants and heat-treatment schedules. In monolithic ceramics such as alumina, achieving a rapidly rising R-curve is more complex, involving tailoring the grain shape and grain boundary toughness through the use of additives. jg p1
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA305720
Entities
People
- Michael J. Readey
Organizations
- Carnegie Mellon University