Ceramics, Mechanical Properties, and Behavior

Abstract

Ceramic materials present many advantages for structural applications, especially in extreme environments. Their high melting temperatures, high hardness, inertness, and relatively low densities make them attractive for many applications as replacements for metals and also as enablers for new technologies. For structural applications at low and modest temperatures, the design engineer is concerned about the load‐bearing capacity (stiffness, strength, and fracture toughness), the reliability (strength variability), and the time‐dependent strength (subcritical crack behavior). At elevated temperatures, time‐dependent deformation due to mechanisms such as creep is most important. In wear applications the hardness, toughness, and frictional properties are of interest. This chapter serves as an introduction to these topics. The mechanical properties of ceramics are important not only for the structural applications discussed, but also when these materials are used for electrical, optoelectronic, or biomedical applications.