Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics

A special issue of Ceramics (ISSN 2571-6131).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 7557

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Université Mohamed V de Rabat, EMI, Avenue Ibn Sina, Rabat B.P. 765, Morocco
Interests: ceramics; ceramic composites; mechanical characterization; thermomechanical behavior; microstructure-property relations

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Important developments have been made in recent decades concerning engineering ceramics, including the emergence of new materials and the use of innovative processing methods, such as additive manufacturing or spark plasma sintering. Due to the brittleness of these materials, their mechanical properties and reliability are highly dependent on the nature of the pre-existing flaws and their stability. Their optimization relies on a complete understanding of the influence of the microstructure and the processing routes on their failure behavior.

This Special Issue aims to bring together papers that advance understanding in this field. We invite you to propose short communications, full papers, or reviews corresponding to this Special Issue, for which the following topics can be addressed:

Mechanical strength;
Fracture toughness;
Static and cyclic fatigue;
Mechanisms of failure;
Statistical analysis;
Advanced mechanical characterization methods;
Relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties;
Influence of processing routes.

Prof. Dr. Malika Saadaoui
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • mechanical properties
  • mechanical behavior
  • crack propagation
  • reliability
  • microstructure
  • processing method
  • characterization methods

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2383 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Thermal Shock Behavior of Insulating Refractory Materials
by Anabella Mocciaro, Ricardo Anaya, María Florencia Hernández, Diego Richard and Nicolás Maximiliano Rendtorff
Ceramics 2025, 8(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics8010023 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 107
Abstract
This study investigates the thermal shock behavior of three Al2O3-SiO2 commercial insulating refractory materials (JM23, JM26, and JM28) used in high-temperature industries (>1000 °C). Thermal shock resistance was evaluated through experimental tests and compared with theoretical parameters (R, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the thermal shock behavior of three Al2O3-SiO2 commercial insulating refractory materials (JM23, JM26, and JM28) used in high-temperature industries (>1000 °C). Thermal shock resistance was evaluated through experimental tests and compared with theoretical parameters (R, R⁗, Rst) based on thermoelastic and thermomechanical models. The tests revealed that JM23 did not withstand thermal shock due to its fragility when in contact with water at room temperature, resulting in its immediate collapse. In contrast, JM26 and JM28 maintained their mechanical strength after several thermal shock cycles, although JM28 experienced a more significant decrease in compressive strength. The mechanical behavior under compression changed from semi-fragile to apparently plastic after severe heat treatments. Porosity analysis showed that JM26 had a lower pore size distribution, which contributed to its better thermal shock performance. Theoretical parameters were calculated, confirming that JM26 exhibited the highest resistance to thermal shock. These findings suggest that controlled porosity and microstructure are key factors in improving the thermal performance and durability of insulating refractory materials in high-temperature applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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12 pages, 4650 KiB  
Article
Scratch-Induced Wear Behavior of Multi-Component Ultra-High-Temperature Ceramics
by Gia Garino, Ambreen Nisar, Abhijith K. Sukumaran and Arvind Agarwal
Ceramics 2024, 7(4), 1658-1669; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics7040106 - 8 Nov 2024
Viewed by 964
Abstract
Multi-component ultra-high-temperature ceramics (MC-UHTCs) are promising for high-temperature applications due to exceptional thermo-mechanical properties, yet their wear characteristics remain unexplored. Herein, the wear behavior of binary (Ta, Nb)C, ternary (Ta, Nb, Hf)C, and quaternary (Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti)C UHTCs synthesized via spark plasma [...] Read more.
Multi-component ultra-high-temperature ceramics (MC-UHTCs) are promising for high-temperature applications due to exceptional thermo-mechanical properties, yet their wear characteristics remain unexplored. Herein, the wear behavior of binary (Ta, Nb)C, ternary (Ta, Nb, Hf)C, and quaternary (Ta, Nb, Hf, Ti)C UHTCs synthesized via spark plasma sintering (SPS) is investigated. Gradual addition of equimolar UHTC components improves the wear resistance of MC-UHTCs, respectively, by ~29% in ternary UHTCs and ~49% in quaternary UHTCs when compared to binary UHTCs. Similarly, the penetration depth decreased from 115.14 mm in binary UHTCs to 73.48 mm in ternary UHTCs and 44.41 mm in quaternary UHTCs. This has been attributed to the complete solid solutioning, near-full densification and higher hardness (~up to 30%) in quaternary UHTCs. Analysis of the worn-out surface suggests pull-out, radial, and edge micro-cracking and delamination as the dominant wear mechanisms in binary and ternary UHTCs. However, grain deformation and minor delamination are the dominant wear mechanisms in quaternary UHTCs. This study underscores the potential of MC-UHTCs for tribological applications where material experiences removal and inelastic deformation under high mechanical loading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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16 pages, 5382 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties and Fatigue Resistance of the ZrO2CeYAl2O3 Composite
by Marcio Paulo de Araújo Mafra, Nélio Silva Júnior, Claudinei dos Santos, Jorge Luiz de Almeida Ferreira, José Alexander Araújo and Cosme Roberto Moreira da Silva
Ceramics 2024, 7(4), 1600-1615; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics7040103 - 31 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
This work aimed to evaluate the fatigue limit of the zirconia ceramic composite stabilized with yttria and ceria reinforced with alumina platelets (ZrO2CeYAl2O3) and characterize the mechanical properties of sintered specimens. Bar-shaped specimens were compacted by uniaxial [...] Read more.
This work aimed to evaluate the fatigue limit of the zirconia ceramic composite stabilized with yttria and ceria reinforced with alumina platelets (ZrO2CeYAl2O3) and characterize the mechanical properties of sintered specimens. Bar-shaped specimens were compacted by uniaxial pressing in a rigid die and sintered at 1500 °C-2 h. Subsequent characterizations included quantitative phase analysis by X-ray diffractometry, determination of density, modulus of elasticity, microhardness, fracture toughness, four-point flexural strength, and fatigue limit. Observations of fracture mechanisms were carried out using confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sintered samples presented values above 98% of relative density. Complex microstructures with equiaxed, homogeneously distributed submicrometer grains and planar alumina platelets were observed by SEM. The composite samples showed high values of fracture toughness due to the transformation, during the test, from the tetragonal to monoclinic phase, causing an increase in volume and creating compression zones around the crack, making it difficult to propagate. The average flexural strength reached 445.55 MPa, with a Weibull modulus (m = 16.8), revealing low flexural rupture stress data dispersion. In the composite evaluated in this work, the occurrence of the tetragonal → monoclinic transformation that occurs in the Ce-TZP present at the triple points and grain boundaries during cyclic loading produces “crack tip shielding”, that is, a restricted elastic zone (zone shielding) that surrounds the crack tip. This phenomenon leads to a reduction in the stress intensity factor at the tip of the crack and slows down its growth, generating an increase in the fatigue resistance of the composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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11 pages, 4584 KiB  
Article
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Diamond–Ceramic Composites Fabricated via Reactive Spark Plasma Sintering
by Yunwei Shi, Lanxin Hu, Aiyang Wang, Chun Liu, Qianglong He and Weimin Wang
Ceramics 2024, 7(4), 1390-1400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics7040090 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1097
Abstract
In order to prepare diamond composites with excellent mechanical properties under non-extreme conditions, in this study, a diamond–ceramic composite was successfully prepared via reactive spark plasma sintering using a diamond–Ti–Si powder mixture as the raw material. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the [...] Read more.
In order to prepare diamond composites with excellent mechanical properties under non-extreme conditions, in this study, a diamond–ceramic composite was successfully prepared via reactive spark plasma sintering using a diamond–Ti–Si powder mixture as the raw material. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the diamond–ceramic composite sintered at different temperatures were studied. When the sintering temperature was 1500 °C, the diamond–ceramic composite exhibited a volume density of 3.65 g/cm3, whereas the bending strength and fracture toughness were high at 366 MPa and 6.17 MPa·m1/2, respectively. In addition, variable-temperature sintering activated the chemical reaction at a higher temperature, whereas lowering the temperature prevented excessive graphitisation, which is conducive to optimising the microstructure and mechanical properties of the composite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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13 pages, 5233 KiB  
Article
Properties of a Pressureless Sintered 2Y-TZP Material Combining High Strength and Toughness
by Frank Kern and Bettina Osswald
Ceramics 2024, 7(3), 893-905; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics7030058 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1188
Abstract
Yttria stabilized zirconia materials are frequently used in mechanical engineering and biomedical applications. Demanding loading conditions require materials combining a high level of strength and fracture toughness. A ready-to-press alumina doped 2 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia powder was shaped by axial pressing and sintering [...] Read more.
Yttria stabilized zirconia materials are frequently used in mechanical engineering and biomedical applications. Demanding loading conditions require materials combining a high level of strength and fracture toughness. A ready-to-press alumina doped 2 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia powder was shaped by axial pressing and sintering in air at 1250–1500 °C for 2 h. At 1350 °C the best combination of strength (1450 MPa) and toughness (7.8 MPa√m) was achieved. Materials sintered in the middle of the chosen temperature range combine full density, high transformability and small grain size. Toughness measurements by direct crack length measurements delivered unrealistically high fracture toughness values. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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13 pages, 5233 KiB  
Article
Effects of Composition Variations on Mechanochemically Synthesized Lithium Metazirconate-Based Ceramics and Their Resistance to External Influences
by Bauyrzhan K. Abyshev, Sholpan G. Giniyatova and Artem L. Kozlovskiy
Ceramics 2023, 6(4), 2394-2406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics6040147 - 15 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1731
Abstract
The study examines the influence of variations in the compositions of components for the production of lithium-containing ceramics based on lithium metazirconate obtained by the method of mechanochemical grinding and subsequent thermal sintering. For component variation, two compositions were used, consisting of zirconium [...] Read more.
The study examines the influence of variations in the compositions of components for the production of lithium-containing ceramics based on lithium metazirconate obtained by the method of mechanochemical grinding and subsequent thermal sintering. For component variation, two compositions were used, consisting of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) and two distinct types of lithium-containing materials: lithium perchlorate (LiClO4·3H2O) and lithium carbonate (Li2CO3). Adjusting the concentration of these components allowed for the production of two-phase ceramics with varying levels of impurity phases. Using X-ray phase analysis methods, it was determined that the use of LiClO4·3H2O results in the formation of a monoclinic phase, Li2ZrO3, with impurity inclusions in the orthorhombic phase, LiO2. On the other hand, when Li2CO3 is used, the resulting ceramics comprise a mixture of two phases, Li2ZrO3 and Li6Zr2O7. During the studies, it was established that the formation of impurity inclusions in the composition of ceramics leads to an increase in the stability of strength properties with varying mechanical test conditions, as well as stabilization of thermophysical parameters and a decrease in thermal expansion during long-term high-temperature tests. It has been established that in the case of two-phase ceramics Li2ZrO3/Li6Zr2O7 in which the dominance of the Li6Zr2O7 phase is observed during high-temperature mechanical tests, a more pronounced decrease in resistance to cracking is observed, due to thermal expansion of the crystal lattice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mechanical Behavior and Reliability of Engineering Ceramics)
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