Evaluation of crack-growth resistance curve for a particulate ceramic-metal composite

A technique is described to evaluate the crack growth resistance behaviour in brittle ceramic-base materials. In this method, the crack increment meas urements during the stable crack propagation process are not required. The crack growth resistance curves are studied for a particulate ceramic-metal composite in the system lanthanium chromite-chromium. Experiments were perf ormed with standard fracture mechanics single-edge notched beam specimens i n a temperature range from room temperature up to 1100 degrees C. Effect of temperature on crack growth resistance behaviour is discussed. (C) 1998 El sevier Science Limited and Techna S.r.l.