Fracture barrier estimation by the edge fracture test method

Known methods for determining the fracture resistance of brittle materials by indentation flaking of the rectangular specimen edge are compared. The edge fracture (EF) test method was chosen as an optimum one. The investigations demonstrated that silicon carbide ceramics, submicrometre alumina, and glasses possessed fracture resistance (F(R)) values that can be located above the baseline in the EF base diagram. These results emphasize that the above materials display a higher resistance to the onset of fracture (fracture barrier). This barrier can be estimated by comparing EF test data resulting from Rockwell and Vickers indentations. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.