Slow Crack Propagation in Ceramics at the Nano- and Micro-Scale: Effect of the Microstructure

Abstract

A review of Slow Crack Growth (SCG) results obtained for different oxide and non-oxide ceramics at ambient temperature, under different environments, is presented. They are analyzed on the basis of their crack velocity (V) versus stress intensity factor (K1) diagrams. The aim of this paper is to consider mechanisms acting at the crack tip (i.e. at the nano-scale) and microstructural mechanisms occurring in the crack wake or at the crack front (i.e. at the micro-scale) to rationalize the approach of SCG.