N. Gane et F. Polivka, EFFECT OF THREAD FORM ON THE STRENGTH OF CERAMIC BOLTS, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Part C, Journal of mechanical engineering science, 209(3), 1995, pp. 207-214
The strength of various designs of screw thread in partially stabilize
d zirconia (PSZ) bolts has been measured. It was found that the thread
geometry usually used for metal fasteners and connections is not the
optimum for a brittle ceramic material such as PSZ. An increase in the
flank angle of the thread from the normal 60 degrees to 90 degrees ca
n produce a 40 per cent increase in strength. The results are discusse
d in terms of the stress concentration factor acting at the notch root
of the thread and the tensile strength of PSZ. This stress concentrat
ion or notch embrittlement factor reduces the strength of the threaded
connection in a brittle material, compared to that of a metal with th
e same tensile strength. In the present experiments a stress concentra
tion factor of between 2 and 4 was observed. This factor is combined w
ith Weibull statistics to obtain safe working stresses for various des
igns of screw thread in PSZ. This information should be of direct use
to designers interested in using this new engineering material.