Properties of Ceramic Materials and Their Evaluation

Abstract

The mechanical properties of a ceramic material must be thoroughly studied before it is considered for any application that imparts certain stresses. Mechanical properties such as hardness, strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness are key properties in a ceramic material’s performance. Fatigue behavior is important when cyclic stresses are present. At elevated temperatures, the creep behavior of a ceramic is of utmost importance. Erosion and wear phenomena are system-specific. A ceramic component’s erosion and wear behavior have to be known especially if the component comes into contact with other solids, liquids, and high pressure gases. Any combination of fatigue, creep, erosion, wear, and corrosion phenomena is possible, which may complicate the analysis of material response under those circumstances. This chapter describes the mechanical properties of ceramic materials and their evaluation, in general, with some specific examples.