Description of Strengthening Mechanism in Layered Ceramic Composites

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe specific crack behaviour in the layered alumina-zirconia ceramic composite with strong interfaces and its strengthening mechanism. Different coefficients of thermal expansion of individual constituents of ceramic composite cause high residual stresses inside the layers during the sintering process. Compressive residual stresses can significantly influence the crack propagation through the laminate hereby improve the resistance of the material to the crack propagation. Estimation of crack behaviour in laminate was performed assuming the validity of linear elastic fracture mechanics using the criterion based on the strain energy density factor derived by Sih. This paper describes the strengthening mechanism in layered ceramic composites and prediction of their failure which contributes to better understanding of the fracture behaviour of the layered ceramic composites.