Modified four-point bending specimen for determining the interface fracture energy for thin, brittle layers

Abstract

A well-known four-point bending test has been modified such that the critical energy release rate $\mathcal{G}_c$ for delaminating cracks propagating at the interface of a thin, brittle layer bonded to a substrate can be measured. The energy release rate $\mathcal{G}$ required for crack delaminating at those interfaces is obtained by attaching a stiffening layer to the layer system. Another advantage of this modification is that segmentation of the layer and plastic deformation of the substrate during bending are avoided. The interface fracture energy $\mathcal{G}_c$ of a plasma sprayed ZrO₂-ceramic layer on a flame sprayed high alloyed steel substrate has been measured.