The crack growth resistance (R-curve) behavior of non-phase-transforming polycrystalline ceramic materials is reviewed. Experimental and theoretical results are presented and discussed. Its importance to the microstructural design of polycrystalline ceramics is discussed and the potential application to structural design with ceramic materials is noted. The revelation that the increased toughening with increasing crack length is due to phenomena in the following wake region of an extending crack and not in the frontal process zone is emphasized.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Sakai et al. (1988) studied this question.