Standardization of Fracture Toughness Testing of Ceramics in the United States

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard test method PS 070-97 has been created for measuring fracture toughness of advanced ceramics. PS 070-97 includes three test methods which use beams in bending: chevron notch (CNB), single-edged precracked beam (SEPB), and surface crack in flexure (SCF). Supporting data has been collected through several Versailles Advanced Materials and Standards round robins. This paper discusses the evolution of the standard including the rationale for the choice of the three methods and the specifications in the standard. Progress on Standard Reference material 2100 which will have certified values of fracture toughness is presented.