Young Gu Kim

Static and Dynamic Indentation Damage in SiC and Si3N4

Hertzian and explosive indentations were used to determine the damage behavior of SiC and Si3N4 ceramics. Specimens were selected with different microstructures. In order to observe the subsurface damaged zone, the bonded interface technique was adopted. It was found that the damage response depends strongly on the microstructure of ceramics. Examination of subsurface damage reveals a competition between brittle and quasiplastic damage mode: brittle fracture mode is dominant in fine grain microstructure; quasiplastic deformation occurs in coarse grain. Dynamic indentation induces subsurface yield zone which contains extensive micro-cracks. The role of microstructure on static and dynamic damage behavior are discussed in terms of the weakness of grain boundary and grain size.

Characterization of Subsurface Damage in Si₃N₄ Ceramics with Static and Dynamic Indentation

Silicon nitride is one of the most successful engineering ceramics, owing to a favorable combination of properties, including high strength, high hardness, low thermal expansion coefficient, and high fracture toughness. However, the impact damage behavior of Si₃N₄ ceramics has not been widely characterized. In this study, sphere and explosive indentations were used to characterize the static and dynamic damage behavior of Si₃N₄ ceramics with different microstructures. Three grades of Si₃N₄ with different grain size and shape, fine-equiaxed, medium, and coarse-elongated, were prepared. In order to observe the subsurface damaged zone, a bonded-interface technique was adopted. Subsurface damage evolution of the specimens was then characterized extensively using optical and electron microscopy. It was found that the damage response depends strongly on the microstructure of the ceramics, particularly on the glassy grain boundary phase. In the case of static indentation, examination of subsurface damage revealed competition between brittle and ductile damage modes. In contrast to static indentation results, dynamic indentation induces a massive subsurface yield zone that contains severe micro-failures. In this study, it is suggested that the weak glassy grain boundary phase plays an important role in the resistance to dynamic fracture.