Thermal decohesion model validity for polycrystalline advanced ceramics
Article history: Received 23 March 2017 Received in revised form 8 May 2017 Accepted 18 May 2017 Polycrystalline advanced ceramics is a synthetic product produced by sintering together selected carbide or other tough material grains in a metal matrix. Due to wide and sensitive application of these materials, the accurate and efficient determination of the associated fracture mechanisms is of fundamental importance to material manufacturers and end users alike. An experimental investigation of two different grades of advanced ceramics was performed. The material was found to follow a thermal-decohesion model suggesting that adiabatic conditions occur at the crack tip during fracture.