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Mechanical testing of directionally solidified eutectic ceramics (DSECs): specific problems and limitations

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Abstract

The specific problems of DSECs mechanical testing result from the particularities of these 3-D interconnected eutectic ceramics. First of all, 4-point bending tests ensure pure bending loading, whereas 3 PB tests only lead to a tensile and shear stress combination. Consequently, due to the 3-D microstructure of DSECs, interfaces between the various phases are subjected to a mixed (tensile and shear) loading which makes the interpretation of the results (strength) and of the fracture surfaces, rather difficult. For usual ceramics, biaxial flexure testing offers many advantages over 3- or 4-point beam-bending testing. The coaxial-ring test is free of edge influences (flaws): cracks initiate in the central area and propagate outwardly. However, in the case of DSECs, due to the presence of high internal thermal stresses (especially for ternary eutectics), interfaces can be subjected to a strong radial tensile and shear (near the free surface) stress combination. In the presence of the radial tensile stress resulting from biaxial loading, this internal thermal stress combination can lead to premature crack initiation leading to failure. Specimen machining through grinding leads to the formation of a strongly damaged layer. Annealing of this layer leads to the formation of a rough surface: slightly protruding phases and stress concentrations at the interfaces. The measured strength is ≈20% lower after annealing than that directly after grinding. Concerning the effect of the microstructure size, four representative sizes have been selected in the ≈10 µm to submicrometre range. A classical crack propagation criterion has allowed explaining the corresponding strength values.

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Acknowledgements

The authors have to mention that ONERA is involved in a recent National Research Program initiated by SAFRAN and under its coordination (Dr. M. Podgorski, SAFRAN TECH). This project [43], labelled by the Materalia competitiveness cluster, is aimed at developing new manufacturing processes such as edge-defined film-fed growth (EFG) [13, 14], selecting new and more efficient compositions [44] … ONERA is in charge of thermomechanical and chemical (resistance to water vapour corrosion) characterisation. The financial support from SAFRAN TECH, especially for the ultrasonic machining of beam flexure specimens, was greatly appreciated and is gratefully acknowledged. The fully articulated 4-point flexure fixture was designed (M. Bejet) and built at ONERA, and the flexure tests were performed at ONERA (A. Mavel and C. Le Sinq); these careful contributions have to be acknowledged. Finally, the authors would like to thank Dr. N. Carrère and Dr. F. Laurin for their kind cooperation and for fruitful discussions and to mention the long and tight collaboration they have with Prof. L. Mazerolles, Dr. L. Perrière and Dr. S. Lartigue-Korinek from CNRS-ICMPE Laboratory (Thiais, France).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ONERA – The French Aerospace Lab, 92322, Châtillon, France

    R. Valle, M.-H. Ritti & M. Parlier

  2. RSA Le Rubis, 380 rue RN 85, P. O. Box 16, 38560, Jarrie, France

    L. Carroz

  3. Safran Aircraft Engines, Villaroche, Rond-Point René Ravaud – Réau, 77550, Moissy-Cramayel, France

    L. Carroz

  4. Safran Tech – Safran Paris-Saclay, Rue des Jeunes Bois, CS 80112 Châteaufort, Magny-Les-Hameaux, 78772, France

    M. Podgorski

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  1. R. Valle
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Correspondence to R. Valle.

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Valle, R., Carroz, L., Ritti, MH. et al. Mechanical testing of directionally solidified eutectic ceramics (DSECs): specific problems and limitations. J Mater Sci 52, 10047–10061 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1203-6

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