Comparison of Three-Parameter Weibull Statistical Analysis of the Flexural Strength of Dense and Porous Sintered Clay

Abstract

Reliability analysis of dense and porous sintered clay-based ceramic was compared using three-parameter Weibull model. The raw and the sintered clay at temperatures 900-1300°C were characterized using XRF and XRD. The raw clay (dense) and clay mixed with cassava starch (porous) were compacted and sintered at 1300°C. Flexural strength of the dense (24.11-46.56MPa) and the porous (13.58-23.26MPa) sintered clay were determined using three-point bending test. The results were analyzed by three-parameter Weibull probability distribution using Minitab 15 software at 95% confidence interval. Scale and threshold parameters of the dense sintered clay were higher than that of the porous sintered clay. However, the Weibull modulus of the porous ceramic was higher than the dense ceramic. The morphology of the porous sintered clay shows a relative distribution of porosity while the dense ceramic shows a random distribution of cracks. Three- parameter Weibull is a suitable tool to model the reliability of dense and porous sintered clays.