Strength analysis of self-supported films produced by aqueous electrophoretic deposition

Abstract

The goal of this work is to study the feasibility of the characterization of the fracture strength of porous alumina/zirconia thin layers by three-point bending and Weibull analysis. Films have been obtained by electrophoretic deposition on graphite and thermo-gelation of the deposit with carrageenan. On sintering, graphite is burned out and self-supported films are obtained. Strength values are well fitted to a simple two-parameter Weibull distribution. The fracture origins are subcritical growth cracks that originated at the surface irregularities associated with the processing method. A Weibull modulus around 3 is obtained. © 2005 The American Ceramic Society.