For many structural ceramic components in service, their use is often limited by lifetimes that are controlled by a process of SCG. This test method provides the empirical parameters for appraising the relative SCG susceptibility of ceramic materials under specified environments. Furthermore, this test method may establish the influences of processing variables and composition on SCG as well as on strength behavior of newly developed or existing materials, thus allowing tailoring and optimizing material processing for further modification. In summary this test method may be used for material development, quality control, characterization, and limited design data generation purposes. The conventional analysis of constant stress-rate testing is based on a number of critical assumptions, the most important of which are listed in the next paragraphs.

The flexural stress computation for the rectangular beam test specimens or the equibiaxial disk flexure test specimens is based on simple beam theory, with the assumptions that the material is isotropic and homogeneous, the moduli of elasticity in tension and compression are identical, and the material is linearly elastic. The average grain size should be no greater than one fiftieth of the beam thickness.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of slow crack growth (SCG) parameters of advanced ceramics by using constant stress-rate rectangular beam flexural testing, or ring-on-ring biaxial disk flexural testing, or direct tensile strength, in which strength is determined as a function of applied stress rate in a given environment at ambient temperature. The strength degradation exhibited with decreasing applied stress rate in a specified environment is the basis of this test method which enables the evaluation of slow crack growth parameters of a material.

Note 1—This test method is frequently referred to as “dynamic fatigue” testing (Refs (1-3) ) in which the term “fatigue” is used interchangeably with the term “slow crack growth.” To avoid possible confusion with the “fatigue” phenomenon of a material which occurs exclusively under cyclic loading, as defined in Terminology E1823, this test method uses the term “constant stress-rate testing” rather than “dynamic fatigue” testing.

Note 2—In glass and ceramics technology, static tests of considerable duration are called “static fatigue” tests, a type of test designated as stress-rupture (See Terminology E1823).

1.2 Values expressed in this test method are in accordance with the International System of Units (SI) and .

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

C1145 Terminology of Advanced Ceramics

C1161 Test Method for Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature

C1239 Practice for Reporting Uniaxial Strength Data and Estimating Weibull Distribution Parameters for Advanced Ceramics

C1273 Test Method for Tensile Strength of Monolithic Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperatures

C1322 Practice for Fractography and Characterization of Fracture Origins in Advanced Ceramics

C1499 Test Method for Monotonic Equibiaxial Flexural Strength of Advanced Ceramics at Ambient Temperature

E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines

E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing

E337 Test Method for Measuring Humidity with a Psychrometer (the Measurement of Wet- and Dry-Bulb Temperatures)

E1823 Terminology Relating to Fatigue and Fracture Testing

Keywords

advanced ceramics; biaxial flexure; constant stress-rate testing; equibiaxial flexural strength; flexural strength; flexural testing; four-point flexure; slow crack growth; slow crack growth parameters; tensile strength; Advanced ceramics; Constant stress-rate flexural testing; Cracking--ceramics; Elevated temperature tests; Flexural testing--ceramics; Four-point flexure; Monolithic advanced ceramics; Slow crack growth (SCG); Tensile properties/testing--ceramics;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 81.060.30 (Advanced ceramics)

Citing ASTM Standards

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