Abstract
Relationships that govern trends in the toughness of ceramics and ceramic composites with microstructure are well-developed. The status of present understanding is reviewed. Two principal mechanistic classes are described: process and bridging zone mechanisms. Process zone mechanisms, which include transformation, microcrack and twin toughning are shown to be governed by the size of the zone and by the non-linear strain provided by the mechanism. Bridging zone mechanisms exhibit toughness dictated by a coupled measure of the strength of the reinforcement and a rupture displacement: toughning by fibers, whiskers and ductile networks are mechanisms of this type. Both types of mechanisms demontrate resistance curve behavior, dominated by crack wake effects. Interactions between mechanisms are briefly addressed.
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