Quantitative Studies of Thermal Shock in Ceramics Based on a Novel Test Technique

Abstract

A thermal shock test was designed which permits the thermal fracture resistance and the mechanical strength of brittle materials to be quantitatively correlated. Thermal shock results for two materials, A12O3 and SiC, were accurately predicted from biaxial strength measurements and a transient thermal stress analysis (performed using a finite element method). General implications for the prediction of thermal shock resistance, with special reference to ceramic components, are discussed.