Development of mechanical strength in a ceramic material during firing

摘要

This experiment was designed for high school students who have a very limited background in ceramic materials, but the experiments could also be used at the college level. The objective of the experiment is to teach students about the development of mechanical strength in a ceramic material as a result of the firing process and about testing methods used for brittle materials. In the experiment, clay-based ceramic bars of uniform circular cross section are prepared by extrusion. The bars are then fired at temperatures high enough to achieve high strength by development of a glassy bonding phase. Finally, the bars will be stressed to failure in a simple testing machine. This will quantify the increase in strength as a function of firing temperature.