Papers by Keyword: Ceramic Laminates

Abstract: This paper deals with a description of the crack behaviour in the layered alumina-zirconia ceramic laminate. The main aim is to investigate the crack behaviour in the compressive layer. The crack propagation was investigated on the basis of linear elastic fracture mechanics. Two dimensional finite element models were developed in order to obtain a stress distribution around the crack tip. The stress intensity factors were computed numerically employing the direct method. The change in the crack propagation direction was estimated using criterion based on the strain energy density factor. Sharp crack deflection in the compressive layer was predicted by mentioned approach. The determined crack behaviour is qualitatively in a good agreement with experimental observations.

Abstract: This paper deals with the fracture behaviour of layered ceramic composite with residual stresses. The main goal is to investigate the effect of residual stresses and material interfaces on crack propagation by more complex 3D finite element models. The crack behaviour was described by analytical procedures based on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) and generalized LEFM. The influence of laminate composition with residual stresses on critical values for crack propagation through the laminate interfaces was also determined. Good agreement has been found to exist between numerical results and experimental data. The results obtained can be used for a design of new layered composites with improved resistance against crack propagation.

Abstract: This work deals with the preparation and characterization of macroporous alumina ceramics and permeable laminates with a stepwise (layerwise) porosity gradient in the range of approx. 20–50 %. Layered structures are made by sequential casting and draining of ceramic suspensions containing corn starch (median size approx. 14 micrometers), using both traditional slip casting (TSC) and starch consolidation casting (SCC). In both techniques starch acts as a poreformer, which is eliminated during firing. The influence of the alumina concentration and starch content in the suspension on the porosity, pore size and pore connectivity in the individual layers is studied. It is shown that differential shrinkage of the layers in the case of SCC, caused by the different starch content, may be avoided by controlling the alumina content. The distribution of pore throat diameters (cell window sizes) is determined by mercury porosimetry, whereas the distribution of pore cavity diameters (cell sizes) is measured by microscopic image analysis.

Abstract: The presence of surface compressive residual stress in a laminated material enhance the resistance of the component by reducing the stress intensity factors acting on the cracks -either natural or artificial- existing in the surface. Fissures in the form of cone crack are often generated by blunt contact in service, that can affect the functionality as well as the strength of the material. In this work, a two-steps analysis of the effect of residual stresses on the geometry of cone crack and how this change in geometry influences the far-field strength of the material was performed by means of a Finite Elements model and of experimental observations. In the first part, an automatic incremental model was formulated, which allowed to establish the crack shapes that were used in the second part for simple four-points test models. It was observed that residual stresses change considerably the crack shape, with important implications in the design of contact-damage tolerance, and that this reflects on corresponding changes in the strength.

Abstract: Ceramic laminates with different architecture have been produced and characterized in this work. Thickness of single layers, composition and stacking sequence have been changed in order to modify the corresponding stable growth range of surface defects and final strength. Laminates composed of alumina/zirconia and alumina/mullite have been considered. The mechanical behaviour of the materials is discussed in terms of the residual stress profile and the apparent fracture toughness curve.

Abstract: In this work the strength of ceramic laminates is analyzed. Two different architectures with the same surface are studied. One of them, a Al2O3 / Zr(3Y)O2 laminate, contains compressive residual stresses, the other one, a monolithic Al2O3 laminate, has no residual stresses. Residual stresses are estimated analytically on the basis of the materials properties and by an indentation technique. The influence of the residual stress on the strength distribution is investigated. Strength distributions for laminates with compressive stresses at the surface follow a Weibull distribution only under certain conditions.

Abstract: In order to better understand the fracture behavior of Al2O3-Al2O3/ZrO2 laminates, controlled crack growth experiments were carried out. The method proposed consists of a threepoint bending test of a sandwich beam in which a notched specimen is located in between two metallic bars. Under certain conditions that will be commented, stable crack growth can be obtained. The fracture pattern is related to the residual stresses present in the laminate. R-curves for the laminate were also calculated using the weight function method, including the influence of the free surface. Toughness values are presented in the R-curve after friction considerations.

Abstract: Alumina (Al2O3)-aluminium titanate (Al2TiO5) composites present higher toughness than alumina materials but rather low strength due to microcracking. Laminates in which a flaw tolerant material is located between high strength layers is one way to overcome this problem. In this work, the fracture behaviour of a laminated structure constituted by five layers, where low residual stresses are expected, is studied. In this system, external and central layers of monophase alumina with high strength were combined with intermediate layers of alumina with 10vol.% of aluminium titanate. In the monophase alumina layers, an additional "in situ" formed layer of about 200 µm, constituted by large (@10µm) grains was found, close to the composite layers. The laminated structure presented semistable behaviour during SENVB tests for conditions in which stable crack propagation is not predicted for small grain sized alumina materials. Toughening mechanisms related to thermal expansion mismatch between matrix and second phase in the composite layers and crack bridging in the large grain sized alumina layer were identified.