Crack Deflection and Propagation in Layered Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Ceramics

Authors: Desiderio Kovar, M. D. Thouless, and John W. Halloran, University of Michigan.

Abstract

Crack deflection and the subsequent growth of delamination cracks can be a potent source of energy dissipation during the fracture of layered ceramics. In this study, multilayered ceramics that consist of silicon nitride (Si3N4) layers separated by boron nitride/silicon nitride (BN/Si3N4) interphases have been manufactured and tested. Flexural tests reveal that the crack path is dependent on the composition of the interphase between the Si3N4 layers. Experimental measurements of interfacial fracture resistance and frictional sliding resistance show that both quantities increase as the Si3N4 content in the interphase increases. However, contrary to existing theories, high energy absorption capacity has not been realized in materials that exhibit crack deflection but also have moderately high interfacial fracture resistance. Significant energy absorption has been measured only in materials with very low interfacial fracture resistance values. A method of predicting the critical value of the interfacial fracture resistance necessary to ensure a high energy-absorption capacity is presented.