R-curve behaviour of 9Ce-TZP zirconia ceramics

Stabilised zirconia ceramics may undergo a stress-induced tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation. At crack tips, a transformation zone with compressive stresses develops, leading to an increase in fracture toughness, which depends on the size and geometry of the transformation zone. The influence of grain size on the R-curve behaviour and transformation zone size is investigated for five 9Ce-TZP zirconia ceramic materials of variable grain size.     

Mixed-mode interfacial fracture toughness for thermal barrier coating

A new interfacial fracture test method was developed for measuring the mixed-mode interfacial fracture toughness of thermal barrier coated material over a wide range of loading phase angles. The principle of this developed method is based on peeling the coating from the substrate due to compressive loading to the coating edge, as forming a shear loading to the interface, and slinging loading such as beam bending, as normal loading to the interface. The complete closed form of the energy release rate and associated complex stress intensity factor for our testing method is shown. An yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coating, which was sprayed thermally on Ni-based superalloy, was tested using the testing device developed here.The results showed that the energy release rate for the coating-interfacial crack increased with loading phase angle, which is defined by tan⁻¹ for a ratio of stress intensity factor K₂ to K₁. It was noticed that the interfacial energy release rate increasing with mode II loading could be mainly associated with the contact shielding effect due to crack surface roughness rubbing together.     

Environmentally-controlled non-equilibrium crack propagation in ceramics

A general framework is developed for environmentally-controlled non-equilibrium crack propagation and applied to ceramic materials that exhibit microstructurally-controlled fracture resistance variations. Increasing fracture resistance with crack length, arising from frictional interlocking of predominantly intergranular fracture surfaces, is modelled by the influence of a localized line force behind the crack tip. An indentation fracture mechanics analysis incorporates the fracture resistance variation to describe the inert strength of ceramic materials as a function of dominant flaw size. Non-equilibrium fracture is modelled as the competition between thermally-activated bond-rupture and bond-healing processes, in which the activation barriers are modified by the net mechanical energy release rate acting on a crack. The resulting dependence of crack velocity on mechanical energy release rate is used to describe the strength of ceramic materials as a function of applied stressing rate in a reactive environment. The deconvoluted crack velocity behavior allows both the macroscopic reactive environment fracture resistance and the atomistic lattice traps for fracture to be determined. An implication is that fracture resistance variations are more important in determining observed fracture behavior in reactive environments than in inert environments.     

R-curve behavior in fracture of notched porous ceramics

Notched specimens of porous silicon carbide (SiC) with porosity 37% were fractured under four-point bending. A single edge notch with six depths ranging from 0.1 to 2.8 mm was introduced to the specimen with a height of 7 mm. The fracture of specimens with a notch depth of 0.1 mm did not start from the notch, but from the intrinsic defect. The size of the non-damaging notch is about 0.1-0.2 mm and roughly equal to the size of SiC particles. When the notch depth was larger than 0.4 mm, the fracture started from the notch for all specimens. The record of the strain gage glued on the compression surface of the specimen as a function of the load showed nonlinearity before reaching the maximum load. The critical stress intensity factor was nearly constant for crack initiation from the notch. The resistance curve was constructed by estimating the crack length from the compliance change of the specimen, and was used for determining the maximum load point in bending tests. Fractographic observations showed the fracture path along the binder phase between silicon particles.     

Experimental assessment of mixed-mode partition theories

The propagation of mixed-mode interlaminar fractures is investigated using existing experimental results from the literature and various partition theories. These are (i) a partition theory by Williams (1988) based on Euler beam theory; (ii) a partition theory by Suo (1990) and Hutchinson and Suo (1992) based on 2D elasticity; and (iii) the Wang–Harvey partition theories of the authors based on the Euler and Timoshenko beam theories. The Wang–Harvey Euler beam partition theory seems to offer the best and most simple explanation for all the experimental observations. No recourse to fracture surface roughness or new failure criteria is required. It is in excellent agreement with the linear failure locus and is significantly closer than other partition theories. It is also demonstrated that the global partition of energy release rate when using the Wang–Harvey Timoshenko beam or averaged partition theories or 2D elasticity exactly corresponds with the partition from the Wang–Harvey Euler beam partition theory. It is therefore concluded that the excellent performance of the Wang–Harvey Euler beam partition theory is either due to the failure of materials generally being based on global partitions or that for the specimens tested, the through-thickness shear effect is negligibly small. Further experimental investigations are definitely required.     

Fractographic and Metallographic Study of Spalling Failure of Steel Straightener Rolls

Spalled fragments from work rolls of a steel bar straightening machine were received for failure analysis. Visual inspection coupled with optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used as the principal analytical techniques for the investigation. Fractographic observations clearly revealed the presence of a characteristic fatigue crack propagation pattern (beach marks) and radial chevron marks indicating the occurrence of final overload through a brittle intergranular fracture mode. The collected evidence suggests strongly that surface-initiated cracks propagated by fatigue mechanism led to spalling, resulting therefore in severe work roll damage and subsequently high machine downtime and maintenance costs.     

陶瓷超塑性的研究进展

本文综述了氧化锆及其复相陶瓷超塑性的研究现状，论述了陶瓷超塑性的变形机理，微观特征和断裂特性。同时，分析和对比了陶瓷超塑性与金属超塑性的特点。目前，对于正确理解超塑性陶瓷的变形机理，还需进行大量工作。     

An assessment of fracture toughness in the ductile to brittle transition regime using the Euro fracture toughness dataset

The effect of specimen size on the fracture toughness of a ferritic steel in the transition regime has been investigated in a joint European Project. The project involved the testing of 25, 50, 100 and 200 mm wide compact specimens over the temperature range −154°C to 20°C with the aim of evaluating techniques for assessing the fracture toughness data.This paper evaluates the data at, or close to, the onset of stable tearing instead of at cleavage. The approach, which is applicable to structural assessment procedures, results in a temperature shift of less than 12°C between the specimen widths. The approach also enables simplified recommendations to be made for fracture toughness testing in the transition regime and the onset of upper shelf behaviour to be quantified.     

Super-toughening polyamide-612 by controlling dispersed phase domain size: Essential work of fracture assessment

A new pathway to super-toughen polyamide-612 (PA-612) by incorporating domains of soft poly(octene-co-ethylene)-g-maleic anhydride (POE-g-MA) via melt blending leading to more than ∼1100% increase in notched Izod impact strength vis-à-vis fracture toughness enhancement is demonstrated. Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) studies showed effective phase interactions between PA-612 and POE-g-MA whereas dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a reduction in loss-peak intensity at ∼45 °C with increase in the soft phase fraction. The optimal dependence of fracture-toughness (in plane-stress) on domain-size (D_n) of dispersed-phase in the form of a reduction in resistance to crack initiation indicated by essential work of fracture (w_e) and linear increase in resistance to crack propagation indicated by non-essential work of fracture (βw_p) of the blends ⩾10 wt% of POE-g-MA content is correlated to an increase in domain-size ⩾∼0.3 μm. Fracture surface morphology indicated crazing to be responsible for the transition in fracture behavior, i.e. remarkable toughening of PA-612 at the critical rubber phase domain size range of ∼0.2–0.3 μm.     

氧化锆-正铌酸镧复合陶瓷的力学性能

采用常压和热压烧结制备了掺入不同含量正铌酸镧 (LaNbO4)的四方ZrO2 基复合陶瓷。X 射线衍射分析表明经高温烧结后复合陶瓷中LaNbO4相保持稳定。测定了热压烧结条件下所制得的ZrO2 LaNbO4复合陶瓷的力学性能。结果表明 :LaNbO4的加入使材料的断裂韧性均较单一组份的ZrO2 或LaNbO4陶瓷有明显提高。对烧结LaNbO4多晶体进行了透射电镜分析 ,证实其晶粒内部普遍存在畴结构 ;对断口进行了扫描电镜分析 ,并对LaNbO4的作用机理进行了讨论     

我国混凝土断裂力学研究的部分新进展

混凝土、钢筋混凝土及钢纤维混凝土是非均匀的多相复合材料,其断裂性能十分复杂。本文论述了近年来我国在这方面的部分进展情况,内容包括:一、简述了发展历史;二、素混凝土断裂问题的研究;三、钢筋混凝土断裂问题的研究;四、钢纤维混凝土断裂问题的研究;五、指出了值得进一步探讨的问题。     

Zirconia-mullite ceramics by reaction-sintering

Zirconia-mullite composites were prepared byin situ reaction between zircon and alumina. Stabilizers like yttria and magnesium carbonate were used. Almost vitrified bodies were obtained by sintering at 1465–1535°C. Flexural strength increased on annealing at 1040°C.     

Fabrication of bimodal porous alumina ceramics

An alumina foam with two kinds of pores was prepared by combining the sponge method and the pore-former method. The large pores were provided by the sponge method, and their sizes were in the range of 1-2 mm. The small pores were produced by the pore-former method with size in the micrometer range. The large pores offered a high porosity while the small pores offered a large surface area. The strength of samples sintered at different temperatures was measured, and the effect of sintering temperature on foam strength was analyzed by discussing porosity and grain bonding area. The sample sintered at 1550 °C has a compressive strength of 1.3 MPa and a porosity of 86%.     

Fine ceramics replacing cement in mortars Partial replacement of cement with fine ceramics in rendering mortars

The main objective of the use of very fine red clay ceramic waste in rendering mortars is the reduction in the primary binder (cement) content made possible by the potential pozzolanic effect of this recycled material, with very clear environmental benefits in the reduction of overly-high energy consuming cement and economic benefits in the potential reduction of the cost of mortars. This paper presents an experimental program where ceramic waste crushed to very fine particles was used to partially replace cement in mortars manufacturing, acting as a secondary binder. A large number of tests of the most relevant characteristics of various mortars in which this principle was applied were performed and compared with the results of the same tests in a reference rendering mortar with no ceramic fines (and no reduction of the cement content). The results are most promising both from a performance-based and an environmental point of view.     

Pressureless sintering ZrB2-SiC ceramics at low temperatures

ZrB₂-SiC ceramics are prepared by pressureless sintering using ZrB₂ powders and liquid polycarbosilane (LPCS) precursors. The LPCS can effectively reduce the sintering temperature. The phases of the sintered ceramics are characterized by X-ray diffraction, and their morphologies are observed by scanning electron microscopy. From these results, it is learned that LPCS can provide free carbon and silicon at high temperatures. Therefore, the oxides on the ZrB₂ surface can be removed by free carbon, and the densification process can be promoted by silicon. These coupled effects make it possible to pressureless sinter the ZB₂-SiC ceramics at low temperatures.     

Glass-free LTCC microwave dielectric ceramics

The sintering behavior, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of complex pyrophosphate compounds AMP₂O₇ (A = Ca, Sr; M = Zn, Cu) were investigated in this paper. All compounds could be densified below the temperature of 950 °C without any glass addition, and exhibit low permittivity (_r < 8), high Q × f value and negative temperature coefficient of resonant frequency. The Q × f value was discussed from the point of view of bond strength. The chemical compatibility with silver and copper was also investigated. All compounds seriously react with silver at 700 °C. However SrZnP₂O₇ could be co-fired with copper in reduced atmosphere. The microwave dielectric properties of SrZnP₂O₇ sintered at 950 °C in reducing atmosphere are: _r = 7.06, Q × f = 52781 GHz, τ_f = −70 ppm/°C. In terms of its lower sintering temperature, chemical compatibility with copper and good microwave dielectric properties, SrZnP₂O₇ ceramic is very promising for low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) applications.     

Temperature dependence of anelastic behavior in 3Y-TZP ceramics

The unique anelastic behavior in 3Y-TZP has been observed under several temperatures in the range 77–353 K. By employing an elastic strain subtractor and in-situ XRD technique, we found that the anelastic deformation of 3Y-TZP occurred more easily at an elevated temperature, whereas this anelastic behavior disappears dramatically at 77 K, and that the anelastic strain was not induced by the t → m phase transformation.

In the cyclic loadings, the stress versus anelastic strain hysteresis loops were also measured at each temperature. From the shape change of these loops, the possible mechanisms of anelastic deformation of 3Y-TZP were explored. Furthermore, the cyclic softening was observed at every temperature although it was not strong at the lower temperature.

The rupture strengths of this material at different temperatures were investigated as well. It was found that the rupture strength of 3Y-TZP non-crack sample was obviously higher in the lower temperature range than in the higher temperature range. However, in pre-cracked samples, the strength reduction observed in the non-crack sample at higher temperatures could be remedied to some extent due to the mechanism related to anelastic behavior.     

Radiation stability of ceramics: Test cases of zirconia and spinel

The study of the effects of radiation in ceramics of potential use in electronic, space and nuclear industries appears to be a major challenge in the next decades. The collect and analysis of data dealing with the production and recovery of radiation damage in this type of materials are thus tasks of prime interest. In this article, we present a review of the main structural and chemical modifications observed in test case ceramics (yttria-stabilized zirconia and magnesium-aluminate spinel) submitted to ion bombardment and thermal treatments. We show that the stability under irradiation depends on the intrinsic properties of the materials and on irradiation parameters such as the ion energy, fluence and temperature. We also demonstrate that the recovery of damage upon annealing at elevated temperatures induces drastic physico-chemical modifications of the matrix.     

Mixed-mode cohesive fracture of adhesive joints: Experimental and numerical studies

A broad experimental and analytical effort using fracture mechanics as the prime tool was conducted to investigate and improve the understanding of the mixed-mode cohesive fracture behavior of bonded joints. As a part of experimental efforts, mixed-mode fracture tests were performed using modified Arcan specimens consisting of several combinations of adhesive, composite and metallic adherends with a special loading fixture, in which by varying the loading angle, from 0° to 90°, mode-I, mixed-mode and mode-II fracture data were obtained. Finite element analyses were also carried out on specimens with different adherends. The main objective of this study was to determine the fracture toughness K_IC and K_IIC for a range of substrates under mixed-mode loading conditions. Another goal was to study the relationship between the stress intensity factors and the fracture toughness. Based on those analyses, mixed mode fracture criterion for the adhesively bonded systems under consideration determined. Fracture surfaces obtained at different mixed-mode loading conditions for various adherends were finally discussed.