R-CURVE BEHAVIOR OF AL2O3 CERAMICS

The fracture micromechanics and underlying physical processes of fracture in Al2O3-based ceramic specimens have been studied as a function of grain size by instrumented in situ dynamic scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using the double torsion technique. The toughness is found to increase with grain size. Crack bridging is found to extend over hundreds of grain diameters behind the crack tip, resulting in R-curve behaviour. Evidence is amassed which points to frictional energy dissipation, rather than distrubuted microcracking or crack-closure due to elastic ligaments, as the dominant contribution to toughening. The friction occurs at grains which bridge the crack faces and are pulled out as the faces separate. Restraining stresses, which constrain the bridging grains in their sockets, are believed to be the result of both grain morphology and the thermal expansion anisotropy of the material. Simple modelling indicates that only a few percent of the grains need be involved in the frictional process to account for the toughening. The conclusion is supported by hysteresis measurements. © 1990.