Fracture behaviour of Y-TZP ceramics: New outcomes

Modern approaches to fracture resistance estimation of Y-TZP ceramics are critically analyzed. It is shown that fracture toughness test methods do not produce data that are reliable enough. The present investigation makes use of the edge fracture (EF) test method based on flaking the rectangular specimen edge. Chip scars formed on specimen edges after the Rockwell indentation were examined. It is established that not the chip scar shape but its surface area is decisive for the fracture resistance of these ceramics. The influence of indenter sharpness on fracture resistance estimates was elucidated: Rockwell indenter, 400-μm tip radius conical indenter, and Vickers indenter were used. The EF method ensures simultaneous determining a fracture resistance characteristic and plotting an FR-line some equivalent to a conventional R-curve. Therefore, such economically feasible tests, easily realizable in a conventional mechanical laboratory, provide quite exhaustive information on the fracture behaviour of ceramics. The proposed method of evaluating the fracture resistance of Y-TZP ceramics may be useful in materials science practice.