Since more than thirty years high strength ceramics for structural applications have been developed. Several successful demonstrations of their suitability for structural applications, e.g. as material for turbo charger rotors, were achieved as well as examples for material related design. Nevertheless a break-through in their use did not take place. As the most important reason for this, a significant lack of design relevant data, e.g. on crack growth and fatigue, can be recognised. In a joint European research program organised by the European Structural Integrity Society a complete set of material properties indispensable for design (including crack extension parameters, cyclic fatigue data and data correlated to contact mechanical problems) will be measured for a commercially available silicon nitride ceramic. The organisational schedule of the program and selected first results are reported.
展开▼
