Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-r5fsc Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T15:35:03.208Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Effect of Changes in Grain Boundary Toughness on the Strength of Alumina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 February 2011

Robert F. Cook*
Affiliation:
IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Get access

Abstract

Indentation/strength data on a series of Ca-doped aluminas are presented, revealing considerable microstructural influence and increasing fracture resistance during crack propagation. The source of the increasing resistance is considered in terms of a restraining zone of grain-localized ligamentary bridges behind the crack tip. A simple fracture mechanics model is developed to characterize the effect of the restraining ligaments, which also allows the steady state toughness, applicable to large cracks, and the intrinsic strength, applicable to small cracks, to be predicted. The segregation of Ca to the grain boundaries is shown to correlate with decreases in grain boundary toughness and increases in toughness in the large crack limit. These latter two combined effects lead to decreases in intrinsic strength with increasing steady state toughness.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1987

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

1. Cook, R.F., Lawn, B.R. and Fairbanks, C.J., J.Am.Ceram.Soc. 68, 604 (1985)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Knehans, R. and Steinbrech, R., J.Mater.Sci.Letters 1, 327 (1982)Google Scholar
3. Swanson, P.L., Fairbanks, C.J., Lawn, B.R., Mai, Y-W and Hockey, B.R., J.Am.Ceram.Soc, in pressGoogle Scholar
4. Mai, Y-W and Lawn, B.R., Ann.Rev.Mater.Sci. 16, 415 (1986)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5. Lawn, B.R., in Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics, Vol.5, edited by R.C., Bradt, B.R., Lawn, D.P.H., Hasselman and B.R., Lawn (Plenum Publishing Corporation, New York, 1983) p. 1.Google Scholar
6. Tada, H., Paris, P.C. and Irwin, G.R., The Stress Analysis of Cracks Handbook (Del Research Corporation, St. Louis, 1973)Google Scholar
7. Cook, R.F. and Schrott, A.G., to be publishedGoogle Scholar
8. Marshall, D.B., Am.Ceram.Soc.Bull. 59, 551 (1980)Google Scholar
9. Kendall, K., Alford, N. McN., Tan, S.R. and Birchall, J.D., J.Mater.Res. 1, 120 (1986)Google Scholar
10. Cook, R.F., Fairbanks, C.J., Lawn, B.R. and Mai, Y-W, J.Am.Ceram.Soc. submittedGoogle Scholar
11. Cook, R.F., to be publishedGoogle Scholar