Determination of fracture strength and fracture energy of (metallo-) ceramics by a wedge loading methodology and corresponding cohesive zone-based finite element analysis

A wedge loaded testing methodology to determine the fracture energy and strength of (semi-) brittle (metallo-)ceramics is presented. The methodology combines a tailored specimen geometry and a comprehensive finite element analysis based on cohesive zone modelling. The use of a simulation-based approach to extract both fracture strength and...

Self-healing M_n+1AX_n-phase ceramics

Damage management and the development of new materials come together in selfhealing Mn+1AXn phase ceramics. These ternary layered carbides and nitrides exhibit a multitude of properties, such as high temperature strength, fracture toughness, thermal and electrical conductivity and machinability, which have been discovered over the past 20 years....