Characterization of thermal-shock cracks in ceramic bars

Experimental analysis of the cracking in the ceramics subsequent to water quenching have been conducted to clarify the uncertainties of cracking in the ceramics when subjected to thermal shock. The results here indicate that at the critical point of quench temperature, the crack density and the depth reached the minimum and the maximum limits, respectively. On increase of the quench temperature, the crack density increased rapidly before reaching its saturation point, while the crack depth initially decreased rapidly and then increased gradually before reaching its saturation point.