Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) · 1989 · 23 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesMaterials EngineeringMaterials ScienceCeramic MaterialsCeramicsMechanical Behavior Of MaterialsCeramic TechnologyCompressive PropertiesMechanical CharacterizationStrength Of MaterialsStrength PropertiesStructural CeramicsCeramic Compressive BehaviorCeramic Material PropertiesCompressionCompression TestingCompressive StrengthCompressive Strength TestingFracture Of CeramicsStrength Testing
Compressive strength is critical to the performance of ceramics in armor, machine tool bits, and compressively loaded structural components. Traditional compression tests yield misleadingly low values for high strength ceramics. A new test, utilizing a dumbbell-shaped specimen, has been developed and has successfully measured the strength of Al2O3, B4C, TiB2, and SiC. Compression strengths approaching 7 GPa (1 million psi) were measured. Results were accurate, reproducible, and consistent with present compressive fracture theory. A finite element analysis (FEA) was done to confirm a uniaxial stress state. An error analysis examines the severity of procedural errors. The test is simple and cost effective to perform.