Qualitative and Quantitative Fractographic Analysis of Dynamically Impacted Si₃N₄ Ceramics

Si3N4 is widely used as a structural ceramic, therefore mechanical characterization, especially in dynamic loading conditions is important task. In the framework of a comprehensive research work aiming at characterizing the dynamic failure process of Si3N4 based ceramics we executed instrumented impact tests. Beside determining various mechanical characteristics we executed failure analysis by fractography, as well. The current paper focuses on the fractographic analysis of the dynamic failure processes of the investigated Si3N4 based ceramics. A detailed morphological analysis has been carried out determining qualitative and quantitative features using macro- and micro-fractography.