Fracture Resistance of a Transparent Magnesium Aluminate Spinel

The fracture resistance of a fully dense, transparent, polycrystalline magnesium aluminate spinel was measured from room temperature to 1400°C using the chevron-notched beam and the straight-notched beam macroflaw techniques, as well as the indentation-induced, controlled-microflaw test method, all in three-point bending. Flexural strengths were also measured for the same range of temperatures to compare with the fracture toughness measurements. From the load vs load-line displacement ( P-u ) curves of the chevronnotched test specimens, the crack growth resistance curves ( R -curves) and the total work-of-fracture were determined. It was observed that polycrystalline MgAl₂O₄ exhibits rising R -curve behavior which increases with increasing test temperature. The R -curve increases are attributed to the geometric constraints due to grain bridging and grain wedging phenomena as well as secondary grain boundary microcracking processes, all of which occurred in the wake region behind the advancing crack. The work-of-fracture and the R -curves increased rapidly above 800°C coincident with the onset of increased secondary grain boundary microcracking.