18 - Advanced tape cast multilayer thin ceramics and composites with inelastic failure behaviors for damage-resistant applications

Abstract

A good deal of the possible application scenario of flexible ceramics involves tape cast multilayer thin ceramics and composites for a wide variety of applications. However, the challenge is to overcome the characteristic brittleness of ceramics so that it could be both strong, reasonably hard as well as tough, that is, to induce the ability to exhibit inelastic and/or slightly ductile behavior. While the literature, more often than not, is flooded with conventional synthesis and characterizations, the total quantum of effort directed toward the evaluation of damage-resistant material developments is far from significant. Moreover, there is a clear dearth of the design philosophy approach for the development of advanced tape cast multilayer thin ceramics and composites with inelastic failure behaviors for damage-resistant applications. This is where the present chapter derives its scope and hence, focuses. It will be shown how designing the interface with brittle/brittle, tough/tough, brittle/tough, tough/brittle, tough/weak, etc. different combinations in advanced tape cast multilayer thin ceramics and composites can lead to significant enhancement in damage resistance with a wide variety of inelastic failure behavior. In addition, the implications of such development for damage and particularly sudden impact shock-resistant applications, for example, as in armor materials will be discussed. In the end, the future research directions to blend such development with the newly emerging design philosophy of microstructurally engineered ceramics development will be hinted upon.